PUC stands by Efficiency Maine funding decision
The Maine Public Utilities Commission has decided against reconsidering its controversial decision to essentially cut $38 million from Efficiency Maine’s budget.
The Portland Press Herald reported that the PUC voted 2-1 on Wednesday against reconsidering its interpretation of a 2013 law that determines Efficiency Maine’s state funding formula.
That means funding efforts to restore the organization’s funding will now be up to the state Legislature or legal action, which the Natural Resources Council of Maine said it may consider if lawmakers are unsuccessful.
The passage in question currently says that Efficiency Maine's funding is based on 4% of "total retail electricity transmission and distribution sales," which some legislators and advocates said was meant to be written as "total retail electricity AND transmission and distribution sales." The PUC in early March voted to strictly interpret the law as the former, with Commissioners Mark Vannoy and Carlisle McLean reiterating their stance this week.
“I should not, and will not, embark on divining on what the Legislature meant when the language before is clear,” McLean said.
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