Maine Revised Statutes Title 35-A. Public Utilities § 1905. Funding of an energy cost reduction contract or a physical energy storage contract

1. Assessments on ratepayers. The commission may direct one or more transmission and distribution utilities, gas utilities or natural gas pipeline utilities to collect an assessment from ratepayers for the following purposes:

All assessments must be just and reasonable as determined by the commission and must be identified as an energy cost reduction contract charge or a physical energy storage contract charge on a ratepayer's utility bill. When determining just and reasonable assessments, the commission shall consider the anticipated reduction in the price of gas or electricity, as applicable, accruing to different categories of ratepayers as a result of the contract.

2. Assessments on utilities. If the commission is the principal and counterparty on an energy cost reduction contract or a physical energy storage contract, the commission may:

3. Volumetric fee. The commission may establish and direct the payment to the trust fund of a volumetric fee on the use of gas by a consumer of natural gas obtained from a source other than a gas utility or a natural gas pipeline utility of this State in proportion to the anticipated reduction in the price of gas accruing to that consumer as a result of an energy cost reduction contract or a physical energy storage contract as determined by the commission in an adjudicatory proceeding.