Law Aims to Protect Consumers in Utility Cases

Todd Keith

A new law aims to ensure the interests of residential, low-income and small-business customers are considered in rate cases and other utility proceedings before the state Public Service Board. 

The law requires the Public Service Department, an agency in the state executive branch, to focus more acutely on the interests of underrepresented groups when advocating on consumers’ behalf before the regulatory board. AARP helped draft the law and urged lawmakers to pass it. 

“Large utilities and businesses have the resources to present their case, but the typical homeowner or small-business owner does not,” said Greg Marchildon, AARP state director. “This law begins to level the playing field.”