LD1560 - Raise the Bar for Utilities

(2019)

An Act Regarding Utility Reorganizations

Sponsored by Sen. Mark Lawrence (D-York)

What is the bill?

When Verizon sold its landline assets to Fairpoint Communications in 2008, many critics expressed concern that such a small, undercapitalized company was not equipped to deliver quality service to its customers. The company went through bankruptcy, disrupted service and provoked a 131 day strike of its longtime employees. If there was a better standard for approving such sales, perhaps Maine could have gotten a better deal. LD 1560 will strengthen that standard for approving approving utility reorganizations by requiring that these purchases meet a “net benefit” standard by showing that the benefits outweigh the costs and ratepayers should see a positive benefit.

What happened?

Enacted into law (Passed the Legislature, Signed by the Governor)

Votes