124th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 120		LR 426(02)
	An Act To Clarify the Criteria for Provision of Assistance to Low-income Customers of Natural Gas Companies
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "   "
	Committee: Utilities and Energy
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Minor cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill will require any gas utility with 5,000 or more customers to offer a low-income assistance program for residential customers. At this time, there is only one gas utility company that meets the 5,000 customer threshold and that one already has a low income assistance program in place. Under the bill costs for this program will now be recovered from rates charged to all customers. A report will be produced annually by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on the low income program. The additional costs to the PUC associated with this rulemaking can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.