Acadia Center Comments on the Maine Public Utilities Commission Inquiry into Rate Design Issues Associated with 2021 Legislation

Comments submitted in response to the Maine Public Utilities Commission's request for comments on its inquiry into rate design issues associated with Docket No. 2021-00198 (Rate Design NOI). The Rate Design NOI is based upon two recently-passed bills in the 130th Legislature, including LD 528 - An Act To Advance Energy Storage in Maine (Chapter 298), which Acadia Center supported. These bills, among other requirements, required the Commission to open a docket exploring time-of-use rates or time-differentiated rates that would send price signals and provide incentives for consumers to decrease demand during peak periods.