Opinion: Electricity pricing proposal is all wrong for Maine

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 31, 2025

LD 186, “An Act to Clarify the Public Utilities Commission’s Authority to Establish Time of Use Pricing for Standard Offer Service,” would allow the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to implement time of use (TOU) pricing, which involves charging different rates for electricity usage during peak and off-peak hours. While this may seem like a fair approach to managing energy consumption, it disproportionately affects retirees, family caregivers and those who work from home. ~ André Chassé, AARP Maine’s volunteer state president