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Rep. Thibodeau: New law represents victory for Maine’s utility ratepayers

AUGUSTA – Governor John Baldacci has signed into law a bill sponsored by State Rep. Mike Thibodeau that changes the position of Maine’s Public Advocate from serving at the pleasure of the governor to serving a four-year term that begins and ends midway through the governor’s term of office.

“The Office of the Public Advocate must be an independent agency that is solely responsible for representing the interests of the ratepayers of regulated utilities,” said Rep. Thibodeau (R-Winterport). “Any obstacles that would impede the Public Advocate from fulfilling his or her duties to ratepayers should be removed, so as to prevent any political or organizational pressures from impacting the welfare of ratepayers.”

The Office of the Public Advocate, located in Hallowell, represents ratepayers before the Public Utilities Commission in such areas as electricity, telecommunications, water, gas and the Internet. By statute, the office argues for the lowest feasible level of rates.

In presenting his bill, LD 954, to the Utilities and Energy Committee, Rep. Thibodeau explained that current statutory language defining the role of the Office of the Public Advocate was somewhat ambiguous and could be interpreted to suggest that the Office may receive approval from the executive branch prior to rendering pertinent opinions.

Rep. Thibodeau noted that the Public Advocate receives no support from the General Fund; all the financial resources come from ratepayers. “By operating autonomously from any influence from the executive branch, the Public Advocate will be in a better position to actively seek the best deal possible for the ratepayers,” he said.

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