March 18, 2020

In light of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Maine Public Utilities Commission (Commission) is implementing the following actions to minimize the possible impact of COVID-19 within our offices and hearing rooms to 1) protect the public, 2) protect our employees and 3) protect utility employees and other stakeholders.

Effective immediately through and including March 31, 2020, the Commission will only be open to Commission staff and contractors. Utility employees and related stakeholders may attend hearings and technical conferences as necessary. Press wishing to attend deliberations or other hearings should contact the Administrative Director. At the expiration of this period, we will reevaluate whether it is safe to lift this restriction.

The Commission is very much like a court, holding frequent hearings and meetings to process utility cases as required by statute. The Commission is taking this step to reduce overall risk to all involved with these cases. Public recordings of our hearings will continue to be available through live streaming or telebridge accessed through the Commission's website to ensure that the public has access to all proceedings. The Commission will allow parties to cases to attend proceedings in person if attendance is deemed necessary. For example, a routine technical conference may be conducted entirely through teleconference. A formal hearing, however, may include on site attendance by members of the utility, the Office of the Public Advocate and other formal parties to a case.

The Commission and its staff is still availabe to the public by telephone during regular business hours. The Commissions Consumer Assistace and Safety Division remains available to address consumer concerns by contacting 1-800-452-4699.

Questions may be directed to the Commissions Adminstrative Director. Hearing Examiners in all Commission cases will coordinate the implementation of this new process on a case by case basis.