ME LD1949

Prohibits utility disconnection for nonpayment when residential customers are enrolled in assistance programs and have household members who are 65+, disabled, medically certified ill, dependent/incapacitated adults, or infants under 12 months old

Bars competitive electricity providers from enrolling low-income assistance recipients unless the provider's rate is lower than standard-offer service, requiring PUC waiver approval

Prohibits utilities from recovering in rates: fines/penalties, board travel/lodging/food costs, investor relations expenses, lobbying compensation, and rate case proceeding costs exceeding what the Public Advocate spends on the same case

Requires utilities with 50,000+ customers to file quarterly reports on disconnections, reconnections, payment plans, and customer debt, disaggregated by zip code, assistance program status, and environmental justice population status

Lowers the apprenticeship requirement threshold from 2 megawatts to 1 megawatt for renewable energy projects and increases required apprentice labor hours to 15% (2025-2027) and 25% (2027+) of total construction hours