The Maine Public Utilities Commission is being criticized for its handling of a

The Maine Public Utilities Commission is being criticized for its handling of a telephone rate adjustment process. The Maine Legislature passed a law that calls for the PUC to decrease in-state long distance rates and increase competition. The PUC compiled a list of individuals, groups and state agencies it felt were most affected by the rate case, and limited participation in hearings to those on the list. The PUC chose the stakeholder process to separate short-term issues from larger issues of regulation, and to maintain confidentiality. Members of the Maine People\u27s Alliance are unhappy with the system. Details