An Act To Increase The Membership Of The Public Utilities Commission To 5 Members

LD 1309 increases Maine's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) membership from 3 to 5 voting members. The bill requires at least one new member to have significant renewable energy development experience and one to have consumer advocacy or public interest law experience. It also establishes a process for appointing retired judges as alternate commissioners when the PUC lacks a quorum, with all appointments subject to legislative confirmation. The two additional members will be appointed in 2026 and 2027 for six-year terms. This bill changes the PUC's structure and appointment rules but does not alter its regulatory authority over utilities.