95-648 C.M.R. ch. 480, § 3 - GAS CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
A.
Criteria
for Conservation Programs
Gas distribution utilities adopting and implementing gas conservation programs shall seek to encourage efficiency in natural gas use, provide incentives for the development of new, energy-efficient business activity in the State and take into account the costs and benefits of energy efficiency and conservation to existing business activity in the State.
1.
Program Design. Gas
distribution utilities shall design and implement conservation programs that:
(a) increase consumer awareness of
cost-effective options for conserving energy;
(b) create more favorable market conditions
for the increased use of efficient products and services; and
(c) promote sustainable economic development
and reduced environmental damage.
2.
Program Targets. The gas
distribution utilities shall:
(a) target at
least 10% of available funds to programs for low-income residential
consumers;
(b) target at least 20%
of available funds to programs for small business consumers; and
(c) To the greatest extent practicable,
apportion remaining available funds among customer groups and geographic areas
in a manner that allows all othercustomers to have a reasonable opportunity to
participate in one or more conservation programs.
3.
Program Cost Effectiveness.
Programs shall meet the cost effectiveness tests established in Section 4.
4.
Program Funding
Levels. Programs shall be deliverable within the funding level
established pursuant to section 5.
B.
Terms and Conditions. As
required by 35-A M.R.S.A. §304, gas conservation programs shall be
implemented as part of the gas distribution utility's schedules on file with
the Commission. New gas conservation programs and changes to existing gas
conservation programs shall be filed with the Commission as a change in the gas
distribution utility's schedules pursuant to 35-A M.R.S.A. §307.
1.
Information to be Submitted.
A gas distribution utility submitting a gas conservation program shall file the
following information with the Commission and the Office of the Public
Advocate:
(a) Proposed new or revised Terms
and Conditions describing the proposed gas conservation program, and a schedule
of any new or revised rates or charges proposed in conjunction with the
program.
(b) A description of the
proposed gas conservation program, including its target group, schedule,
projected gas savings, avoided costs, participant costs and savings, program
costs and benefits, rate impacts and impacts on end uses and amenity
level.
(c) An analysis of the
proposed gas conservation program showing that it is reasonably likely to be
cost effective as defined in this Rule.
(d) Any other information the gas utility
believes will assist the Commission in reviewing the cost effectiveness of the
proposed program and the justness and reasonableness of the proposed terms and
Conditions.
2.
Delegation of Authority. The Commission delegates its authority to
review, suspend, approve and order changes to gas utility schedules related to
energy conservation programs, including terms and conditions, to the Director
of Energy Programs.
3.
Effect
of Commission Approval. The Commission's approval of a gas conservation
program shall be a determination that the program is just and reasonable on the
basis of the information available as of the date of approval. Any gas
distribution utility implementing such a program has a continuing obligation to
monitor, evaluate and review the program to determine whether the program as
implemented is cost effective and whether continuation of the program as
approved is reasonable.
Notes
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