Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, § 705: Utility deposits, 1987

The following provisions apply to deposits of utility customers: [PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).] 1. Residential customers; applicants. A public utility may not require a deposit of a residential customer without proof that the customer is likely to be a credit risk or to damage the property of the utility. That proof must be furnished to the customer upon request. Absence of previous experience with the utility may not be considered proof that the customer is a credit risk or threatens to damage utility property. A utility may not require a deposit from an applicant for residential service based solely on the applicant's income. For purposes of this subsection, "applicant" means a person that applies for public utility service and has not been a customer of the utility within 30 calendar days prior to the person's application for utility service. The commission shall adopt rules to carry out the purposes of this subsection. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A. [PL 2025, c. 115, §1 (AMD).] 2. Nonresidential customers. Every public utility shall file with the commission schedules containing its terms and conditions for requiring a deposit from nonresidential customers, which terms and conditions shall be subject to the commission's power under this Title. Every public utility shall comply with its terms and conditions. The commission shall adopt rules which provide a procedure for resolution by the commission or its delegate of disputes as to whether a deposit being required by a public utility is in compliance with its terms and conditions. If the rules authorize a delegate to resolve disputes, the rules shall include a procedure for appeal of the decision to the commission. [PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).] 3. Interest rate on deposits. The commission shall adopt reasonable rules, after hearing, to provide for a just and reasonable interest rate to be paid by the utility on any deposit of any customer. [PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]