Maine advocate seeks billing data to investigate overcharging

Maine's public advocate is asking for access to billing data from electricity suppliers. This request aims to find out if competitive electricity providers are overcharging low-income customers. Public Advocate Heather Sanborn noted a report showing that ratepayers paid $135 million more to these providers over seven years compared to the standard electricity rate. She believes that examining the billing data will reveal the financial burden on low-income households. In 2000, Maine changed its electric industry structure. Utilities are no longer responsible for generating electricity. Instead, they deliver it. Customers can choose between the standard offer, set by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), or a competitive provider like Electricity Maine. Competitive providers have faced criticism for their pricing practices. Their rates may start lower than the standard offer but often become higher over time. Sanborn is pushing for a bill that would allow the PUC to collect ZIP code data to study how competitive rates impact low-income customers. The utilities bill customers and pay competitive suppliers. However, the PUC previously refused Sanborn's request to gather data about these providers, citing a lack of authority to investigate their pricing. Low-income households can qualify for assistance if their income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, which is about $48,000 for a family of four. Support for the legislation has come from both parties in the legislature. However, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce opposes the bill, saying it could hinder the competitive electricity market. They argue that competitive providers already report to the PUC and that it might be better for the PUC to conduct a limited review instead of imposing more regulations. A lawyer for a competitive provider stated that existing laws could be used to address any issues. He emphasized the need to protect confidential business information while ensuring transparency. From 2016 to 2023, competitive electricity providers in Maine charged households significantly more than would have been charged under the standard offer. This issue has been a longstanding concern, with past calls to eliminate the competitive market entirely due to its failures.