65-407 C.M.R. ch. 830, § 2 - Limitation on Rates

The following expenses, whether paid directly or indirectly, through reimbursement or otherwise, incurred by a public utility or an affiliated interest may not be included or incorporated in operating expenses to be recovered in rates:

A. Contributions or gifts to political candidates, political parties, political or legislative committees or any committee or organization working to influence referendum petitions or elections. Nothing in this paragraph prohibits a consumer-owned water utility, a consumer-owned transmission and distribution utility or the Casco Bay Island Transit District from undertaking expenditures related to notifying the public of or conducting trustee elections or local referendum elections directly related to or legally required for the operation of these utilities or district.

B. Contributions to a trade association, chamber of commerce or public charity, including, but not limited to, a charity managed by the public utility or affiliated interest. This paragraph does not apply to consumer-owned water utility.

C. Expenditures for lobbying or grassroots lobbying. This paragraph does not apply to a consumer-owned water utility, a consumer-owned transmission and distribution utility or the Casco Bay Island Transit District; and

D. Educational expenditures unless those expenditures serve a public interest as defined in Section 1, paragraph E. This paragraph does not apply to a consumer-owned transmission and distribution utility or a consumer-owned water utility.

Notes

65-407 C.M.R. ch. 830, § 2