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AGENCY NAME: Maine Public Utilities Commission

CONTACT PERSON: Joanne Steneck, General Counsel, State House Station 18, Augusta, ME 04333. Tel: (207)287-3831

EMERGENCY RULES ADOPTED SINCE THE LAST REGULATORY AGENDA: Chapter 301, Emergency Rule Adopted November 3, 2000; Replaced by Amendments adopted January 24, 2001.

CONSENSUS - BASED RULE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS: At this time, the Commission does not anticipate engaging in the consensus - based rule development process described in 5 M.R.S.A. § 8051-B during 2001-2002.

EXPECTED 2001-2002 RULE-MAKING ACTIVITY:

CHAPTER 130: Safety and Accident Reporting Requirements
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 112, 115, 710, 4702
PURPOSE: To clarify the definition of critical facilities and make other changes based on the Commission's experience operating under the rule.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Spring 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All gas, natural gas pipeline, electric transmission and distribution utilities, telephone and water utilities.

CHAPTER 140: Utility Service and Infrastructure Maps
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§111, 301, 2102-2105, 2110
PURPOSE: To require utilities to maintain and file with the Commission service area maps and maps indicating key utility infrastructure.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Fall 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: All utilities.

CHAPTER 200: Reporting Requirements for Local Exchange Carriers
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 301, 801-808
PURPOSE: To update the items required to be reported and to simplify reporting requirements.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Winter 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All telephone utilities providing local exchange service in the State of Maine.

CHAPTER 204: Basic Service Calling Area
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 301(2), 7303, 7303-A
PURPOSE: To make changes to the rule as required by P.L. 2001, ch. 106 and to make other changes that will provide customers additional choices for calling areas.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Fall 2001, Winter 2002 (two separate rulemakings)
AFFECTED PARTIES: All telephone utilities and their customers.

CHAPTER 210: Uniform System of Accounts for Telephone Utilities
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 107, 111, 112, 501, 502, 504, 505, 507
PURPOSE: To conform the rule to the nationally established Uniform System of Accounts and update Annual Report requirements.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Winter 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All telephone utilities.

CHAPTER 22: Retroactive Telephone Inter-Company Settlements
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. § 111
PURPOSE: To repeal the rule as it is no longer applicable.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Fall 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: All telephone utilities.

CHAPTER 230: Installation, Maintenance and Ownership of Customer Premises Wire
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 7306
PURPOSE: The Commission will consider whether continued regulation is necessary.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Spring 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: Local exchange carriers and their customers.

CHAPTER 240: Mobile Telecommunications Services
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 2102(2), 8901
PURPOSE: The Commission will determine if this rule continues to be necessary.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Spring 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: Mobile Telecommunications service providers.

CHAPTER 250: Coin-Operated Telephone Service
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 301, 307, 704, 1301, 1306-1308, 2101, 2105, 2110, 7101, 7301, 7503
PURPOSE: To conform the rule to statutory and federal regulatory changes and determine what regulation, if any, is necessary.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Winter 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All telephone utilities that provide coin-operated telephone service and users and coin-operated telephones.

CHAPTER 280: Provision of Competitive Telecommunications Services
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 7101-B
PURPOSE: To update provisions to conform to the governing statute, particularly Section 8 of the Rule.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Spring 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All telephone utilities that provide intrastate interexchange service in the State of Maine and their customers.

CHAPTER 290: Standards for Telecommunications Billing, Credit and Collection, and Customer Information for Eligible Telecommunications Carriers
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 704
PURPOSE: To establish credit and collection practices for Eligible Telecommunications Carriers.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Fall 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: All ETCs operating in Maine and their customers.

CHAPTER 291: Standards for Billing, Credit and Collection, and Customer Information for Non-Eligible Telecommunications Carriers
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 704
PURPOSE: To establish credit and collection practices for Non-eligible Telecommunications Carriers.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Fall 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: All Non-ETCs operating in Maine and their customers.

CHAPTER 292: Standards for Billing, Credit and Collection, and Customer Information for Interexchange Carriers
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 704
PURPOSE: To establish credit and collection practices for Interexchange Carriers.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Fall 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: All Interexchange Carriers operating in Maine and their customers.

CHAPTER 296: Selection of Primary Interexchange and Local Exchange Carriers
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. § 7106
PURPOSE: Minor changes needed to reflect changes in Federal law.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Winter 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All telephone utilities and their customers.

CHAPTER 2XX: Telecommunications Carriers Process for Abandoning Service
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 1104
PURPOSE: To establish a standard process whereby telecommunications will be authorized to abandon service if they comply with the specified process and notice requirements contained in the rule.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Winter 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All telephone utilities operating in Maine.

CHAPTER 2XX: Minimum Service Standards for Local Exchange Carriers
STATUTORY AUTHORITY:35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 201, 7101, 7104
PURPOSE: To define the components of basic telecommunication service so that customers in a multi-provider environment will have available services considered essential for minimally acceptable access to, and use of, the public switched network. The rule will also address the requirements that carriers seeking Eligible Telecommunication Carrier (ETC) must meet, including the components of basic service.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Summer 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All local exchange carriers and their customers.

CHAPTER 2XX: Certification of Competitive Interexchange Carriers
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 304, 307, 307-A, 912, 1105, 2102
PURPOSE: To consider simplifying the registration and filing requirements for competitive interexchange carriers.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Summer 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All competitive interexchange carriers and their customers.

CHATPER 320 (currently 32): Service Standards of Electric Utilities
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 704, 1308
PURPOSE: Update the rules provision due to electric restructuring.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Winter 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All electric transmission and distribution utilities.

CHAPTER 350 (currently 35): Accounting Treatment for Area Lighting
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A.
PURPOSE: Repeal rule as it is no longer necessary.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Spring 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All electric transmission and distribution utilities.

CHAPTER 37: Energy Conservation Adjustment For Electric Utilities
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A.
PURPOSE: Repeal as it is no longer necessary.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Spring 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All electric transmission and distribution utilities.

CHAPTER 305: Licensing Requirements, Annual Reporting, Enforcement and Consumer Protection Provisions for Competitive Provision of Electricity
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 3203
PURPOSE: To update rule due to legislative changes in 35-A M.R.S.A. § 3203.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Winter 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All electric transmission and distribution utilities, competitive electricity providers and their customers.

CHAPTER 310: Uniform System of Accounts for Electric Utilities
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 501-505
PURPOSE: Needs updating due to electric restructuring.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Spring 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: Electric transmission and distribution utilities.

CHAPTER 330: Filing Requirements for Petitions of Public Convenience and Necessity Electric Generating and Transmission Facilities
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 3132
PURPOSE: Needs updating due to electric restructuring.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Summer 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All electric transmission and distribution utilities.

CHAPTER 332: Filing Requirements for Petitions of Public Convenience and Necessity for Purchases of Energy or Fuel Conversion of Generating Facilities
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 3133, 3134
PURPOSE: Needs updating due to electric restructuring.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Winter 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All electric transmission and distribution utilities.

CHAPTER 334: Filing Requirements for Petitions of Public Convenience and Necessity for Significant Agreements Relating to Electric Energy or Transmission Capacity
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 3133, 3133-A
PURPOSE: Update rule due to electric restructuring.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Summer 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All electric transmission and distribution utilities.

CHAPTER 410: Uniform System of Accounts for Gas Utilities
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 112, 501, 502, 504
PURPOSE: To clarify the annual reporting requirements for gas utilities.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Fall 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: All gas utilities.

CHAPTER 420: Safety of Gas Transmission and Distribution Systems
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 4702
PURPOSE: To amend the rule to add safety standards and reporting requirements for central tank systems or a petroleum gas systems that serve 10 or more customers or are located in a public place.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Winter 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: Certain gas utilities and the general public.

CHAPTER 620 (currently 62): Service Standards for Water Utilities
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 301, 6106
PURPOSE: To conform the rule to changes in 35-A M.R.S.A. § 6106.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Summer 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All water utilities and their customers

CHAPTER 630 (currently 63): Major Construction Projects of Water Utilities
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 301, 1301, 6102
PURPOSE: To consider amendments to make the rule consistent with amendments to 35-A M.R.S.A. §6102, primarily a new provision requiring a utility undertaking a project required by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act to file and make publicly available cost estimates of the utility's preferred and alternate plans.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Summer 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All water utilities.

CHAPTER 690 (currently 69): Determination of Fire Protection Revenues for Water Utilities
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 301, 502, 6106
PURPOSE: To conform the rule to changes made to Chapter 650 (described above).
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Summer 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All water utilities, municipalities and customers of water utilities.

CHAPTER 6XX: Water Supply Emergencies
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 301
PURPOSE: To establish criteria to allow water utilities to restrict water usage in emergency situations.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Winter 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All water utilities and their customers.

CHAPTER 720: Compliance with the GAAP Requirements of SFAS No. 106
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A.
PURPOSE: Repeal as rule is outdated
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Summer 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All utilities

CHAPTER 730: Compliance by Public Utilities with the Requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 Established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A.
PURPOSE: Repeal as rule is outdated
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Summer 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All utilities

CHAPTER 810 (currently 81): Residential Utility Service Standards for Credit and Collection Programs
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 704
PURPOSE: To conform rules to be consistent with electric restructuring and with Commission experience in applying the rule.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Spring 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All utilities and their residential customers, except telephone utilities.

CHAPTER 820: Non-Core Utility Activities and Transactions Between Affiliates
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 503, 707, 708, 713, 714, 715
PURPOSE: To conform the rule to recent statutory changes and to make other minor changes.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Summer 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All Maine utilities, except water utilities.

CHAPTER 860 (currently 86): Disconnection and Deposit Regulations for Nonresidential Utility Services
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 35-A M.R.S.A. §§ 111, 704, 705
PURPOSE: To conform rules to be consistent with electric restructuring and with Commission experience in applying the rule.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Summer 2002
AFFECTED PARTIES: All utilities and their non-residential customers, except telephone utilities.

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