HALLOWELL – In a case pending before the Maine Public Utilities Commission, the state’s Office of the Public Advocate has recommended that the commission reduce the annual revenues of Verizon Maine by $46.2 million. If adopted by the PUC, the recommended rate reduction would result in savings of $8 a month, or about $100 a year for each Verizon residential customer who subscribes to Verizon’s local service.

Another party to the same rate proceeding, the American Association of Retired Persons, is recommending additional reductions in Verizon’s rates.

“We are hopeful that after considering the OPA testimony, Maine’s PUC will reset Verizon’s local rates in a way that immediately benefits all of Verizon’s customers in Maine,” said Public Advocate Stephen Ward.

The public advocate filed testimony on Jan. 13 rebutting Verizon witnesses. The PUC is reviewing Verizon rates based on an order by the Maine Supreme Court. Verizon bases the $46.2 million figure on what it calls “revenue surplus.”

The Maine Office of the Public Advocate is an 8-person unit of the state government, housed in Hallowell, whose principal duty is to represent the interests of utility consumers in proceedings before the Maine PUC, the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Legislature and the courts.