Legislative committee recommends reappointment of Phil Bartlett as PUC chair after hour-long confirmation hearing; vote 7–5

The Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology voted to recommend the confirmation of Philip Bartlett II of Portland as chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission by a party-line-tilted 7–5 margin after a public hearing that included testimony from the governor’s representative, the nominee, utilities, environmental groups and several business groups.

Dan Burgess, director of the Governor’s Energy Office, opened the hearing and described Bartlett’s background in economics, law and public service, and praised his leadership at the PUC on grid reliability, regional collaboration and performance-based regulation. Burgess said Bartlett has led the commission through “unprecedented challenges” and has been Maine’s representative on New England regional bodies.

Philip Bartlett, seeking another six-year term as chair, summarized accomplishments he cites during his tenure: adoption of performance-based metrics for utilities, updated approaches to telecommunications pole-attachment policy, attention to small water utility issues and regional advocacy that has produced a 30-year transmission planning process in New England and a state-initiated ISO New England RFP to integrate bulk onshore wind.

Committee questioning ranged across topics including how stranded costs and rate design under net energy billing have been allocated among utilities, the status of procurement efforts for renewables and contaminated-site reuse, the role of nuclear power in the region’s generation mix, and whether the commission has sufficient staff and resources to carry out expanded responsibilities. Bartlett told lawmakers he regretted some rate-design choices made in recent proceedings and said the commission is revisiting those matters.

Public testimony was mixed. Industrial and business groups including the Industrial Energy Consumers Group, Conservation Law Foundation and the Maine State Chamber of Commerce urged the committee to confirm Bartlett, citing his regional leadership and the commission’s work on transparency and accountability. Opponents pointed to press reporting related to political-party activity before Bartlett’s first appointment and urged caution; several committee members who voted against the confirmation cited constituent concern about rising electricity costs as part of their rationale.

After public comment and a 15‑minute pause required by committee rules, the clerk called the roll. The recorded roll-call votes were: Representative Nate Wadsworth — Nay; Representative Kilton Webb — Yea; Representative Reagan Paul — Nay; Representative Sophie Warren — Yea; Senator Matt Harrington — Nay; Senator Nicole Grohowski — Yea; Representative Melanie Sachs — Yea; Representative Chris Kessler — Yea; Representative Steve Foster — Nay; Representative Valley Geiger — Yea; Representative Matthew McIntyre — Nay; Representative Jerry Runte — Yea. That tally produced seven votes in favor and five opposed.

Why it matters: The PUC chair leads an agency that regulates electricity, natural gas, telecommunications and water utilities in Maine. The chair’s priorities influence both day-to-day regulatory decisions and long-term planning for a period of rapid change in the power sector.

What’s next: The committee’s recommendation will be transmitted to the Senate for final action. Bartlett told the committee he would welcome continued collaboration with lawmakers on issues such as long-range planning, performance metrics and affordability.

Speakers quoted in this piece appear in the article’s speaker list and were drawn from the hearing transcript.