AUGUSTA — To help Maine people with electricity bills, the Governor’s Energy Office and the Office of the Public Advocate submitted Wednesday a proposal to the Maine Public Utilities Commission to deliver a one-time utility bill credit of $90 for low-income Maine households.

The total $8 million proposal was developed by the GEO and OPA in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services, Central Maine Power, Versant Power and MaineHousing.

If approved by the PUC, the bill credit would be applied to approximately 90,000 Maine households served by CMP and Versant Power.

The $90 bill credit would offset three months of the average household’s monthly utility bill increase this year, stemming from the increased standard offer electricity price approved by the PUC that took effect in January.

To be eligible for the credit, a household’s income must be at or below 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines. Utilities will identify households that should receive the credit with the assistance of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

Funds for the bill credit are contingent upon the use of Federal funds delivered to Maine for the Heating Assistance Program, or HEAP, which is administered by MaineHousing. Use of these funds would ensure no additional costs to ratepayers to support the credit.

The timing of the bill credit is dependent on the PUC’s approval of the proposal submitted today.