STATE OF MAINE
131
ST
LEGISLATURE
F
IRST REGULAR AND FIRST SPECIAL SESSIONS
Disposition of bills and summaries of all laws enacted or finally passed
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON ENERGY,
U
TILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY
October 2023
MEMBERS:
SEN. MARK W. LAWRENCE, CHAIR
S
EN
.
N
ICOLE
G
ROHOSKI
SEN. MATTHEW HARRINGTON
REP. STANLEY PAIGE ZEIGLER, JR., CHAIR
REP. CHRISTOPHER J. KESSLER
REP. VALLI D. GEIGER
STAFF:
REP. JAMES A. BOYLE
LINDSAY J. LAXON, LEGISLATIVE ANALYST
REP. SOPHIA B. WARREN
OFFICE OF POLICY AND LEGAL ANALYSIS
REP. WALTER GERARD RUNTE, JR.
13 STATE HOUSE STATION
REP. STEVEN D. FOSTER
AUGUSTA, ME 04333
REP. MARK MICHAEL BABIN
(207) 287-1670
REP. LARRY C. DUNPHY
http://legislature.maine.gov/opla
REP. REAGAN L. PAUL
Energy, Utilities and Technology
Page Number: 1 of 9
Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology
SUBJECT INDEX
Agency Matters - PUC/OPA/GEO/EMT
Enacted
LD 177
An Act to Amend the Authority of the Public Utilities Commission
Regarding Access to Information in Proceedings Involving Special
Rate Contracts
PUBLIC 64
LD 194
An Act to Update and Clarify the Public Utilities Commission's
Reporting Requirements
PUBLIC 77
LD 395
An Act to Expand Funding Sources Within the Public Utilities
Commission for Intervenor and Participant Funding
PUBLIC 143
LD 1065
An Act to Improve the Telecommunications Relay Services Council by
Reducing Its Membership and Allowing for the Hiring of an Executive
Director
PUBLIC 182
LD 1654
An Act to Extend the Time for Certain Public Utilities Commission
Proceedings
PUBLIC 168
Not
Enacted
LD 340
An Act Regarding the Purpose and Responsibilities of the State
Regulatory System for Public Utilities
Majority (ONTP)
Report
LD 1452
An Act to Require the Commissioners of the Public Utilities
Commission to Be Popularly Elected
Majority (ONTP)
Report
Biomass
Enacted
LD 1408
An Act to Reduce Maine's Dependence on Fossil Fuels and Carbon
Footprint for Energy Production Using Waste Wood Fuel
PUBLIC 353
Not
Enacted
LD 1489
Resolve, to Capitalize on Opportunities from Newly Revised Federal
Renewable Fuels Standards by Studying the Environmental and
Economic Benefits of Electric and Steam Generation Facilities
Powered by Biomass
ONTP
Broadband/ConnectME Authority/Maine Connectivity Authority
Enacted
LD 1456
Resolve, to Study the Effect of Current Laws and Rules on the
Expansion of Broadband
RESOLVE 81
Energy, Utilities and Technology
Page Number: 2 of 9
Not
Enacted
LD 1167
An Act to Require Communications Service Providers to Prorate
Customer Bills for Cancellation and Allow a Reduction in Service for a
Customer with an Outstanding Balance
ONTP
LD 1791
An Act to Make the ConnectMaine Authority Responsible for
Attachments to and Joint Use of Utility Poles and to Establish
Procedures for Broadband Service Infrastructure Crossing Railroad
Tracks
ONTP
LD 1932
An Act to Require Broadband Internet Access Service Providers to
Prorate Customer Bills
CARRIED OVER
Cable Television
Not
Enacted
LD 1967
An Act to Support Municipal Franchise Agreements
CARRIED OVER
Dig Safe
Enacted
LD 1479
Resolve, Directing the Public Utilities Commission to Convene a
Stakeholder Group Regarding Liquefied Propane Gas Systems and the
So-called Dig Safe Law
RESOLVE 47
Distributed Generation
Enacted
LD 327
An Act to Provide Maine Ratepayers with Equitable Access to
Interconnection of Distributed Generation Resources
PUBLIC 307
Not
Enacted
LD 2016
An Act to Implement Recommendations of the Distributed Generation
Stakeholder Group
CARRIED OVER
E911
Enacted
LD 1828
An Act Regarding Enhanced 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points
PUBLIC 186
Electric Vehicles
Enacted
LD 256
An Act to Add Electric Bicycles to the Electric Vehicle Rebate
Program
PUBLIC 140
Energy, Utilities and Technology
Page Number: 3 of 9
LD 519
Resolve, to Evaluate a Vehicle-to-grid Pilot Project Using Electric
School Buses
RESOLVE 32
Not
Enacted
LD 122
An Act to Authorize the Efficiency Maine Trust to Establish a Program
to Support the Uptake of Medium-duty and Heavy-duty Zero-emission
Vehicles by Maine Businesses and to Establish a Medium-duty and
Heavy-duty Zero-emission Vehicle-to-grid Pilot Project
CARRIED OVER
LD 524
An Act Requiring the Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
in New Commercial and Multifamily Parking Lot Construction
Died Between
Houses
LD 1623
An Act to Prohibit All State Subsidies for Electric Vehicles
Majority (ONTP)
Report
Electricity
Enacted
LD 496
An Act to Address Battery Storage System Decommissioning and
Clarify Solar Energy Development Decommissioning
PUBLIC 215
LD 924
Resolve, to Provide Legislative Approval of the Transmission Project
Selected by the Public Utilities Commission Pursuant to the Northern
Maine Renewable Energy Development Program
RESOLVE 66
LD 1850
An Act Relating to Energy Storage and the State's Energy Goals
PUBLIC 374
LD 1887
An Act to Clarify the Review and Procurement Process for Nonwires
Alternatives
PUBLIC 355
LD 1943
An Act Regarding Future Energy Procurements for Renewable Energy
Development in Northern Maine
PUBLIC 371
Not
Enacted
LD 2013
An Act to Address Abandoned Capital Credits Held by Rural
Electrification Cooperatives
PUBLIC 483
LD 357
An Act to Require the Nonwires Alternative Coordinator to Review
and Analyze Plans to Build, Upgrade or Replace a Substation
ONTP
LD 589
An Act to Ensure That the Maine Electric Grid Provides Additional
Benefits to Maine Ratepayers
CARRIED OVER
LD 699
An Act to Reduce Future Energy Costs
CARRIED OVER
LD 1611
An Act to Create the Pine Tree Power Company, a Nonprofit,
Customer-owned Utility
ONTP
LD 1963
An Act Regarding the Future of Renewable Energy Transmission in
Northern Maine
CARRIED OVER
Energy, Utilities and Technology
Page Number: 4 of 9
Electricity Rates/Consumer Protection
Enacted
LD 69
Resolve, to Direct the Public Utilities Commission to Consider
Methods to Educate Customers About Electricity Supply
RESOLVE 12
LD 187
An Act to Eliminate the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Resource
Fund and to Provide Needs-based Low-income Assistance
PUBLIC 306
LD 414
An Act to Clarify the Provision of Notice of Proposed Rate Increases to
Public Utility Customers
PUBLIC 145
LD 542
Resolve, Directing the Public Utilities Commission to Investigate
Time-of-use Rates
RESOLVE 79
LD 923
An Act to Improve Disclosure of Present and Future Costs to Maine
Electricity Consumers
PUBLIC 121
LD 987
Resolve, Directing the Public Utilities Commission to Initiate a
Proceeding to Explore Strategies to Procure Standard-offer Service in a
Manner that Promotes the Stability of Residential Standard-offer Rates
RESOLVE 39
LD 1427
An Act to Allow the Public Utilities Commission to Provide Financial
Assistance to Low-income Households in Emergency Situations
PUBLIC 201
LD 2012
An Act to Prohibit Early Termination Fees for Residential Electric
Generation Service Contracts
PUBLIC 375
Not
Enacted
LD 297
An Act to Reduce Electric Rate Increases Due to Renewable Energy
Credits
CARRIED OVER
LD 683
An Act to Reduce Electricity Rates
CARRIED OVER
LD 1175
An Act to Provide for the Review and Uniform Application of All
Transmission and Distribution Utility Rates
ONTP
LD 1727
An Act to Protect Northern Maine Standard-offer Ratepayers
Majority (ONTP)
Report
Energy Efficiency
Enacted
LD 1101
An Act to Support Lower Home Energy Costs by Establishing a Home
Energy Scoring System
PUBLIC 259
Not
Enacted
LD 412
An Act to Fully Engage the Efficiency Maine Trust in Mitigating
Climate Change by Creating Electrification Programs
CARRIED OVER
Energy, Utilities and Technology
Page Number: 5 of 9
LD 1606
An Act to Finance Clean Energy and Infrastructure in Maine
CARRIED OVER
LD 1778
An Act to Ensure a Sustainable Electric Grid
Majority (ONTP)
Report
Energy Planning
Enacted
LD 952
Resolve, to Create a 21st-Century Electric Grid
RESOLVE 67
Energy Policy
Enacted
LD 1724
An Act to Enact the Beneficial Electrification Policy Act
PUBLIC 328
Hydropower
Not
Enacted
LD 965
An Act to Subsidize Hydroelectric Power
ONTP
3
Miscellaneous
Enacted
LD 924
Resolve, to Provide Legislative Approval of the Transmission Project
Selected by the Public Utilities Commission Pursuant to the Northern
Maine Renewable Energy Development Program
RESOLVE 66
LD 1223
An Act to Clarify Insurance in the Joint Use of Public Utility
Equipment
PUBLIC 313
LD 1971
Resolve, to Ensure that Eligible Customers Receive Payments from the
Energy Rate Relief Fund
RESOLVE 104
Not
Enacted
LD 266
An Act to Increase Consumer Choice and Reduce Motor Vehicle
Emissions in Maine
ONTP
LD 697
Resolve, to Study the Effects of 5G Technology on Bird, Bee and
Insect Populations and the Effects of Long-term Exposure on Children
Died Between
Houses
LD 939
An Act to Support Environmental Justice by Requiring Certain Notice
Requirements for Whistleblower Protections
Majority (ONTP)
Report
LD 1775
An Act to Establish a Clean Hydrogen Pilot Program
CARRIED OVER
Energy, Utilities and Technology
Page Number: 6 of 9
LD 1889
An Act to Provide Authorization to Aroostook County to Use the
Statewide Radio and Network System
CARRIED OVER
Natural Gas
Enacted
LD 698
An Act to Reduce the Cost of Energy in Maine and Reduce
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Through the Effective Use of Renewably
Sourced Gas
PUBLIC 222
Net Energy Billing
Enacted
LD 509
An Act to Amend the Net Energy Billing Laws to Direct Expiring Net
Energy Billing Credits to Provide Low-income Assistance
PUBLIC 230
LD 1986
An Act Relating to Net Energy Billing and Distributed Solar and
Energy Storage Systems
PUBLIC 411
Not
Enacted
LD 417
An Act to Facilitate Net Energy Billing
CARRIED OVER
LD 1347
An Act to Eliminate the Current Net Energy Billing Policy in Maine
Died Between
Houses
LD 1465
An Act to Amend the Calculation of Tariff Rates and Billing Credits
Under Net Energy Billing
CARRIED OVER
LD 1778
An Act to Ensure a Sustainable Electric Grid
Majority (ONTP)
Report
Nuclear Power
Not
Enacted
LD 486
An Act to Encourage Economic Development Through the
Manufacture and Use of Marine Nuclear Power Modules
ONTP
LD 689
An Act to Study the Construction of a Nuclear Power Facility in the
State
ONTP
LD 1549
An Act to Direct the Public Utilities Commission to Seek Informational
Bids Regarding Small Modular Nuclear Reactors in the State
CARRIED OVER
Renewable Resources
Enacted
LD 399
An Act to Amend the Portfolio Requirements for Class II Resources
and Require Money Collected from Alternative Compliance Payments
to Be Used for Financial Assistance
PUBLIC 361
Energy, Utilities and Technology
Page Number: 7 of 9
LD 1591
An Act to Promote Economic Reuse of Contaminated Land Through
Clean Energy Development
PUBLIC 321
Not
Enacted
LD 43
An Act to Reduce the Cost of Electricity by Removing the 100-
megawatt Limit on Renewable Resources of Energy
ONTP
LD 175
An Act to Increase the Use of Municipal Waste-to-energy Processes as
a Source of Renewable Energy
ONTP
LD 297
An Act to Reduce Electric Rate Increases Due to Renewable Energy
Credits
CARRIED OVER
LD 376
An Act to Repeal the Law Regarding the Northern Maine Renewable
Energy Development Program
Majority (ONTP)
Report
LD 437
An Act to Eliminate the Repeal Provision on Waste-to-energy
Renewable Energy Credits
ONTP
LD 442
An Act Regarding Renewable Energy Projects
Majority (ONTP)
Report
LD 622
An Act to Create Equal Opportunity Access to Clean Energy by
Removing the 100-megawatt Limit on Clean Energy Sources
Majority (ONTP)
Report
LD 1431
An Act Requiring the Public Utilities Commission to Adopt Rules
Promoting Renewable Energy
Majority (ONTP)
Report
LD 1830
An Act to Advance Maine's Clean Energy Goals
CARRIED OVER
LD 1888
An Act to Reduce Electricity Costs for Maine's Consumers and
Businesses by Amending the Laws Governing Renewable Resources
Majority (ONTP)
Report
Solar Energy
Enacted
LD 496
An Act to Address Battery Storage System Decommissioning and
Clarify Solar Energy Development Decommissioning
PUBLIC 215
Not
Enacted
LD 1232
An Act to Increase Adoption of Solar Power in Maine
Died Between
Houses
LD 1531
Resolve, to Implement a 4-year Moratorium on Solar Energy Subsidies
and Direct the Department of Environmental Protection to Study the
Economic Impact of Industrial Solar Energy Projects
Majority (ONTP)
Report
Energy, Utilities and Technology
Page Number: 8 of 9
Telecommunications
Enacted
LD 396
An Act to Preserve the 207 Area Code and Impede So-called
Robocalling
PUBLIC 144
Not
Enacted
LD 1167
An Act to Require Communications Service Providers to Prorate
Customer Bills for Cancellation and Allow a Reduction in Service for a
Customer with an Outstanding Balance
ONTP
LD 1379
An Act to Combat Unwanted Telephone Solicitations
ONTP
.
Utilities - General
Enacted
LD 325
An Act to Require Transparency in Public Utility Advertising
Expenditures
PUBLIC 286
Not
Enacted
LD 240
An Act to Increase Public Access to Utilities
CARRIED OVER
LD 421
An Act to Ensure Utility Acquisitions Benefit Maine People
ONTP
LD 905
An Act to Expand Energy Choice Through Municipal Utilities
ONTP
LD 1388
An Act to Protect Utility Customers and Improve Disclosure of
Political and Advertising Spending by Public Utilities and Their
Affiliates
Leave to Withdraw
Pursuant to Joint
Rule 310
LD 1962
An Act to Limit Utility Shut-offs
CARRIED OVER
Water/Sewer/Sanitary - General
Enacted
LD 211
An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Water Supply Protection Funds
PUBLIC 137
LD 1655
An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Consumer-owned Water
Utilities
PUBLIC 325
Not
Enacted
LD 1111
An Act Concerning Contracts and Agreement for Large-scale Water
Extraction
CARRIED OVER
Energy, Utilities and Technology
Page Number: 9 of 9
Water/Sewer/Sanitary Charters
Enacted
LD 640
An Act to Update the Charter of the Lewiston-Auburn Water Pollution
Control Authority
P & S 3
LD 925
An Act to Allow the Baileyville Utilities District to Disconnect Water
Service for a Customer's Failure to Pay for Sewer Service Provided by
the Town of Baileyville
P & S 6
LD 1692
An Act to Create the Guilford-Sangerville Utilities District
P & S 15
LD 1693
An Act to Amend the Kennebunk Sewer District Charter
P & S 7
LD 1933
An Act to Increase the Debt Limit of the Limerick Water District
P & S 11
LD 1950
An Act to Raise the Debt Limit of the Stonington Water Company
P & S 8
Wind Energy
Enacted
LD 1895
An Act Regarding the Procurement of Energy from Offshore Wind
Resources
PUBLIC 481
Not
Enacted
LD 1884
An Act to Prohibit Offshore Wind Energy Development
Majority (ONTP)
Report
DIGEST OF BILLS
131ST LEGISLATURE FIRST REGULAR AND FIRST SPECIAL SESSIONS – 2023
Comm LD Title Comm Action Carried over?
Date of last
Comm
Action
Final
Disposition
Analyst
Note?
Session
EUT 43
An Act to Reduce the Cost of Electricity by Removing the
100-megawatt Limit on Renewable Resources of Energy
Reported
Out
ONTP
4/28/23
Ought Not to
Pass Pursuant
to Joint Rule
310
S1
EUT 69
Resolve, to Direct the Public Utilities Commission to
Consider Methods to Educate Customers About Electricity
Supply
Reported
Out OTP-AM
4/26/23
Finally Passed
RESLV 12
S1
EUT 122
An Act to Authorize the Efficiency Maine Trust to Establish
a Program to Support the Uptake of Medium-duty and
Heavy-duty Zero-emission Vehicles by Maine Businesses
and to Establish a Medium-duty and Heavy-duty Zero-
emission Vehicle-to-grid Pilot Project
Carry Over
Approved
Carried in
Comm
7/25/23
S1
EUT 175
An Act to Increase the Use of Municipal Waste-to-energy
Processes as a Source of Renewable Energy
Reported
Out
ONTP
2/8/23
Ought Not to
Pass Pursuant
to Joint Rule
310
R1
EUT 177
An Act to Amend the Authority of the Public Utilities
Commission Regarding Access to Information in
Proceedings Involving Special Rate Contracts
Reported
Out OTP-AM
4/14/23
Enacted
PL 64
S1
EUT 187
An Act to Eliminate the Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Resource Fund and to Provide Needs-based Low-income
Assistance
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/OTP-
AM
5/24/23
Enacted
PL 306
S1
EUT 194
An Act to Update and Clarify the Public Utilities
Commission's Reporting Requirements
Reported
Out OTP-AM
4/26/23
Enacted
PL 77
S1
EUT 211
An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Water Supply
Protection Funds
Reported
Out
OTP-AM
5/22/23
Enacted
PL 137
S1
EUT 240
An Act to Increase Public Access to Utilities
Carry Over
Approved
Carried in
Comm
7/25/23
S1
EUT 256
An Act to Add Electric Bicycles to the Electric Vehicle
Rebate Program
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/ONTP
5/22/23
Enacted
PL 140
S1
Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology
Enacted Laws
Law Ch
DIGEST OF BILLS
131ST LEGISLATURE FIRST REGULAR AND FIRST SPECIAL SESSIONS – 2023
Page 1 of 10
DIGEST OF BILLS
131ST LEGISLATURE FIRST REGULAR AND FIRST SPECIAL SESSIONS – 2023
Comm LD Title Comm Action Carried over?
Date of last
Comm
Action
Final
Disposition
Analyst
Note?
Session
Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology
Enacted Laws
Law Ch
EUT 266
An Act to Increase Consumer Choice and Reduce Motor
Vehicle Emissions in Maine
Reported
Out ONTP
3/10/23
Ought Not to
Pass Pursuant
to Joint Rule
310
R1
EUT 297
An Act to Reduce Electric Rate Increases Due to Renewable
Energy Credits
Carry Over
Approved
Carried in
Comm
7/25/23
S1
EUT 325
An Act to Require Transparency in Public Utility Advertising
Expenditures
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/ONTP
6/1/23
Enacted
PL 286
S1
EUT 327
An Act to Provide Maine Ratepayers with Equitable Access
to Interconnection of Distributed Generation Resources
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/ONTP
6/20/23
Enacted
PL 307
S1
EUT 340
An Act Regarding the Purpose and Responsibilities of the
State Regulatory System for Public Utilities
Reported
Out
ONTP/OTP
4/4/23
Accepted
Majority
(ONTP) Report
S1
EUT 357
An Act to Require the Nonwires Alternative Coordinator to
Review and Analyze Plans to Build, Upgrade or Replace a
Substation
Reported
Out
ONTP
3/3/23
Ought Not to
Pass Pursuant
to Joint Rule
310
R1
EUT 376
An Act to Repeal the Law Regarding the Northern Maine
Renewable Energy Development Program
Reported
Out ONTP/OTP
3/10/23
Accepted
Majority
(ONTP) Report
S1
EUT 395
An Act to Expand Funding Sources Within the Public
Utilities Commission for Intervenor and Participant Funding
Reported
Out
OTP-AM
5/22/23
Enacted
PL 143
S1
EUT 396
An Act to Preserve the 207 Area Code and Impede So-called
Robocalling
Reported
Out OTP-AM
5/22/23
Enacted
PL 144
S1
EUT 399
An Act to Amend the Portfolio Requirements for Class II
Resources and Require Money Collected from Alternative
Compliance Payments to Be Used for Financial Assistance
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/ONTP/
OTP-A
6/20/23
Enacted
PL 361
S1
DIGEST OF BILLS
131ST LEGISLATURE FIRST REGULAR AND FIRST SPECIAL SESSIONS – 2023
Page 2 of 10
DIGEST OF BILLS
131ST LEGISLATURE FIRST REGULAR AND FIRST SPECIAL SESSIONS – 2023
Comm LD Title Comm Action Carried over?
Date of last
Comm
Action
Final
Disposition
Analyst
Note?
Session
Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology
Enacted Laws
Law Ch
EUT 412
An Act to Fully Engage the Efficiency Maine Trust in
Mitigating Climate Change by Creating Electrification
Programs
Carry Over
Approved
Carried in
Comm
7/25/23
S1
EUT 414
An Act to Clarify the Provision of Notice of Proposed Rate
Increases to Public Utility Customers
Reported
Out
OTP-AM
5/17/23
Enacted
PL 145
S1
EUT 417
An Act to Facilitate Net Energy Billing
Carry Over
Approved
Carried in
Comm
7/25/23
S1
EUT 421
An Act to Ensure Utility Acquisitions Benefit Maine People
Reported
Out
ONTP
6/14/23
Ought Not to
Pass Pursuant
to Joint Rule
310
S1
EUT 437
An Act to Eliminate the Repeal Provision on Waste-to-
energy Renewable Energy Credits
Reported
Out
ONTP
4/28/23
Ought Not to
Pass Pursuant
to Joint Rule
310
S1
EUT 442
An Act Regarding Renewable Energy Projects
Reported
Out
ONTP/OTP-
AM
5/11/23
Accepted
Majority
(ONTP) Report
S1
EUT 486
An Act to Encourage Economic Development Through the
Manufacture and Use of Marine Nuclear Power Modules
Reported
Out ONTP
4/7/23
Ought Not to
Pass Pursuant
to Joint Rule
310
S1
EUT 496
An Act to Address Battery Storage System
Decommissioning and Clarify Solar Energy Development
Decommissioning
Reported
Out OTP-AM
6/2/23
Enacted
PL 215
S1
EUT 509
An Act to Amend the Net Energy Billing Laws to Direct
Expiring Net Energy Billing Credits to Provide Low-income
Assistance
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/ONTP
6/6/23
Enacted
PL 230
S1
EUT 519
Resolve, to Evaluate a Vehicle-to-grid Pilot Project Using
Electric School Buses
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/ONTP
5/22/23
Finally Passed
RESLV 32
S1
DIGEST OF BILLS
131ST LEGISLATURE FIRST REGULAR AND FIRST SPECIAL SESSIONS – 2023
Page 3 of 10
DIGEST OF BILLS
131ST LEGISLATURE FIRST REGULAR AND FIRST SPECIAL SESSIONS – 2023
Comm LD Title Comm Action Carried over?
Date of last
Comm
Action
Final
Disposition
Analyst
Note?
Session
Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology
Enacted Laws
Law Ch
EUT 524
An Act Requiring the Installation of Electric Vehicle
Charging Stations in New Commercial and Multifamily
Parking Lot Construction
Reported
Out
ONTP/OTP-
AM
5/11/23
Died Between
Houses
S1
EUT 542
Resolve, Directing the Public Utilities Commission to
Investigate Time-of-use Rates
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/OTP-
AM/ONTP
6/1/23
Finally Passed
RESLV 79
S1
EUT 589
An Act to Ensure That the Maine Electric Grid Provides
Additional Benefits to Maine Ratepayers
Carry Over
Approved
Carried in
Comm
7/25/23
S1
EUT 622
An Act to Create Equal Opportunity Access to Clean Energy
by Removing the 100-megawatt Limit on Clean Energy
Sources
Reported
Out
ONTP/OTP
4/26/23
Accepted
Majority
(ONTP) Report
S1
EUT 640
An Act to Update the Charter of the Lewiston-Auburn
Water Pollution Control Authority
Reported
Out
OTP-AM
4/26/23
Enacted
P&S 3
S1
EUT 683
An Act to Reduce Electricity Rates
Carry Over
Approved
Carried in
Comm
7/27/23
S1
EUT 689
An Act to Study the Construction of a Nuclear Power
Facility in the State
Reported
Out
ONTP
3/29/23
Ought Not to
Pass Pursuant
to Joint Rule
310
S1
EUT 697
Resolve, to Study the Effects of 5G Technology on Bird, Bee
and Insect Populations and the Effects of Long-term
Exposure on Children
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/ONTP/
OTP-AM
5/25/23
Died Between
Houses
S1
EUT 698
An Act to Reduce the Cost of Energy in Maine and Reduce
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Through the Effective Use of
Renewably Sourced Gas
Reported
Out
OTP-AM
5/22/23
Enacted
PL 222
S1
EUT 699
An Act to Reduce Future Energy Costs
Carry Over
Approved
Carried in
Comm
7/25/23
S1
EUT 905
An Act to Expand Energy Choice Through Municipal Utilities
Reported
Out
ONTP
3/24/23
Ought Not to
Pass Pursuant
to Joint Rule
310
S1
DIGEST OF BILLS
131ST LEGISLATURE FIRST REGULAR AND FIRST SPECIAL SESSIONS – 2023
Page 4 of 10
DIGEST OF BILLS
131ST LEGISLATURE FIRST REGULAR AND FIRST SPECIAL SESSIONS – 2023
Comm LD Title Comm Action Carried over?
Date of last
Comm
Action
Final
Disposition
Analyst
Note?
Session
Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology
Enacted Laws
Law Ch
EUT 923
An Act to Improve Disclosure of Present and Future Costs
to Maine Electricity Consumers
Reported
Out
OTP-AM
5/11/23
Enacted
PL 121
S1
EUT 924
Resolve, to Provide Legislative Approval of the Transmission
Project Selected by the Public Utilities Commission
Pursuant to the Northern Maine Renewable Energy
Development Program
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/ONTP
6/6/23
Finally Passed
RESLV 66
S1
EUT 925
An Act to Allow the Baileyville Utilities District to
Disconnect Water Service for a Customer's Failure to Pay
for Sewer Service Provided by the Town of Baileyville
Reported
Out OTP-AM
5/9/23
Enacted
P&S 6
S1
EUT 939
An Act to Support Environmental Justice by Requiring
Certain Notice Requirements for Whistleblower Protections
Reported
Out ONTP/OTP
4/14/23
Accepted
Majority
(ONTP) Report
S1
EUT 952
Resolve, to Create a 21st-Century Electric Grid
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/ONTP
6/6/23
Finally Passed
RESLV 67
S1
EUT 965
An Act to Subsidize Hydroelectric Power
Reported
Out
ONTP
4/28/23
Ought Not to
Pass Pursuant
to Joint Rule
310
S1
EUT 987
Resolve, Directing the Public Utilities Commission to Initiate
a Proceeding to Explore Strategies to Procure Standard-
offer Service in a Manner that Promotes the Stability of
Residential Standard-offer Rates
Reported
Out OTP-AM
5/24/23
Finally Passed
RESLV 39
S1
EUT 1065
An Act to Improve the Telecommunications Relay Services
Council by Reducing Its Membership and Allowing for the
Hiring of an Executive Director
Reported
Out
OTP-AM
6/1/23
Enacted
PL 182
S1
EUT 1101
An Act to Support Lower Home Energy Costs by
Establishing a Home Energy Scoring System
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/ONTP
6/6/23
Enacted
PL 259
S1
EUT 1111
An Act Concerning Contracts and Agreement for Large-
scale Water Extraction
Carry Over
Approved
Carried in
Comm
7/25/23
S1
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DIGEST OF BILLS
131ST LEGISLATURE FIRST REGULAR AND FIRST SPECIAL SESSIONS – 2023
Comm LD Title Comm Action Carried over?
Date of last
Comm
Action
Final
Disposition
Analyst
Note?
Session
Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology
Enacted Laws
Law Ch
EUT 1167
An Act to Require Communications Service Providers to
Prorate Customer Bills for Cancellation and Allow a
Reduction in Service for a Customer with an Outstanding
Balance
Reported
Out ONTP
6/14/23
Ought Not to
Pass Pursuant
to Joint Rule
310
S1
EUT 1175
An Act to Provide for the Review and Uniform Application
of All Transmission and Distribution Utility Rates
Reported
Out
ONTP
4/28/23
Ought Not to
Pass Pursuant
to Joint Rule
310
S1
EUT 1223
An Act to Clarify Insurance in the Joint Use of Public Utility
Equipment
Reported
Out
OTP-AM
6/20/23
Enacted
PL 313
S1
EUT 1232
An Act to Increase Adoption of Solar Power in Maine
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/ONTP
6/20/23
Died Between
Houses
S1
EUT 1347
An Act to Eliminate the Current Net Energy Billing Policy in
Maine
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/ONTP
6/20/23
Died Between
Houses
S1
EUT 1379
An Act to Combat Unwanted Telephone Solicitations
Reported
Out
ONTP
4/28/23
Ought Not to
Pass Pursuant
to Joint Rule
310
S1
EUT 1388
An Act to Protect Utility Customers and Improve Disclosure
of Political and Advertising Spending by Public Utilities and
Their Affiliates
Reported
Out LTW
5/31/23
Leave to
Withdraw
Pursuant to
Joint Rule 310
S1
EUT 1408
An Act to Reduce Maine's Dependence on Fossil Fuels and
Carbon Footprint for Energy Production Using Waste Wood
Fuel
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/ONTP
6/20/23
Enacted
PL 353
S1
EUT 1427
An Act to Allow the Public Utilities Commission to Provide
Financial Assistance to Low-income Households in
Emergency Situations
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/ONTP
6/1/23
Enacted
PL 201
S1
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DIGEST OF BILLS
131ST LEGISLATURE FIRST REGULAR AND FIRST SPECIAL SESSIONS – 2023
Comm LD Title Comm Action Carried over?
Date of last
Comm
Action
Final
Disposition
Analyst
Note?
Session
Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology
Enacted Laws
Law Ch
EUT 1431
An Act Requiring the Public Utilities Commission to Adopt
Rules Promoting Renewable Energy
Reported
Out
ONTP/OTP-
AM
6/6/23
Accepted
Majority
(ONTP) Report
S1
EUT 1452
An Act to Require the Commissioners of the Public Utilities
Commission to Be Popularly Elected
Reported
Out
ONTP/OTP-
AM
6/13/23
Accepted
Majority
(ONTP) Report
S1
EUT 1456
Resolve, to Study the Effect of Current Laws and Rules on
the Expansion of Broadband
Reported
Out OTP-AM
6/15/23
Finally Passed
RESLV 81
S1
EUT 1465
An Act to Amend the Calculation of Tariff Rates and Billing
Credits Under Net Energy Billing
Carry Over
Approved
Carried in
Comm
7/25/23
S1
EUT 1479
Resolve, Directing the Public Utilities Commission to
Convene a Stakeholder Group Regarding Liquefied Propane
Gas Systems and the So-called Dig Safe Law
Reported
Out OTP-AM
6/2/23
Finally Passed
RESLV 47
S1
EUT 1489
Resolve, to Capitalize on Opportunities from Newly Revised
Federal Renewable Fuels Standards by Studying the
Environmental and Economic Benefits of Electric and Steam
Generation Facilities Powered by Biomass
Reported
Out
ONTP
4/28/23
Ought Not to
Pass Pursuant
to Joint Rule
310
S1
EUT 1531
Resolve, to Implement a 4-year Moratorium on Solar
Energy Subsidies and Direct the Department of
Environmental Protection to Study the Economic Impact of
Industrial Solar Energy Projects
Reported
Out
ONTP/OTP-
AM
6/6/23
Accepted
Majority
(ONTP) Report
S1
EUT 1549
An Act to Direct the Public Utilities Commission to Seek
Informational Bids Regarding Small Modular Nuclear
Reactors in the State
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/ONTP
Carried on
floor
6/6/23
S1
EUT 1591
An Act to Promote Economic Reuse of Contaminated Land
Through Clean Energy Development
Reported
Out
OTP-AM
6/20/23
Enacted
PL 321
S1
EUT 1606
An Act to Finance Clean Energy and Infrastructure in Maine
Carry Over
Approved
Carried in
Comm
7/25/23
S1
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Page 7 of 10
DIGEST OF BILLS
131ST LEGISLATURE FIRST REGULAR AND FIRST SPECIAL SESSIONS – 2023
Comm LD Title Comm Action Carried over?
Date of last
Comm
Action
Final
Disposition
Analyst
Note?
Session
Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology
Enacted Laws
Law Ch
EUT 1611
An Act to Create the Pine Tree Power Company, a
Nonprofit, Customer-owned Utility
Reported
Out ONTP
6/6/23
Ought Not to
Pass Pursuant
to Joint Rule
310
S1
EUT 1623
An Act to Prohibit All State Subsidies for Electric Vehicles
Reported
Out
ONTP/OTP-
AM
6/15/23
Accepted
Majority
(ONTP) Report
S1
EUT 1654
An Act to Extend the Time for Certain Public Utilities
Commission Proceedings
Reported
Out
OTP
5/24/23
Enacted
PL 168
S1
EUT 1655
An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Consumer-owned
Water Utilities
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/OTP-
AM
6/12/23
Enacted
PL 325
S1
EUT 1692
An Act to Create the Guilford-Sangerville Utilities District
Reported
Out
OTP-AM
6/20/23
Emergency
Enacted
P&S 15
S1
EUT 1693
An Act to Amend the Kennebunk Sewer District Charter
Reported
Out
OTP
5/24/23
Enacted
P&S 7
S1
EUT 1724
An Act to Enact the Beneficial Electrification Policy Act
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/ONTP
6/20/23
Enacted
PL 328
S1
EUT 1727
An Act to Protect Northern Maine Standard-offer
Ratepayers
Reported
Out ONTP/OTP
6/12/23
Accepted
Majority
(ONTP) Report
S1
EUT 1775
An Act to Establish a Clean Hydrogen Pilot Program
Carry Over
Approved
Carried in
Comm
7/25/23
S1
EUT 1778
An Act to Ensure a Sustainable Electric Grid
Reported
Out
ONTP/OTP-
AM
6/20/23
Accepted
Majority
(ONTP) Report
S1
EUT 1791
An Act to Make the ConnectMaine Authority Responsible
for Attachments to and Joint Use of Utility Poles and to
Establish Procedures for Broadband Service Infrastructure
Crossing Railroad Tracks
Reported
Out ONTP
6/6/23
Ought Not to
Pass Pursuant
to Joint Rule
310
S1
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Page 8 of 10
DIGEST OF BILLS
131ST LEGISLATURE FIRST REGULAR AND FIRST SPECIAL SESSIONS – 2023
Comm LD Title Comm Action Carried over?
Date of last
Comm
Action
Final
Disposition
Analyst
Note?
Session
Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology
Enacted Laws
Law Ch
EUT 1828
An Act Regarding Enhanced 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering
Points
Reported
Out
OTP-AM
6/2/23
Emergency
Enacted
PL 186
S1
EUT 1830
An Act to Advance Maine's Clean Energy Goals
Carry Over
Approved
Carried in
Comm
7/25/23
S1
EUT 1850
An Act Relating to Energy Storage and the State's Energy
Goals
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/ONTP
6/20/23
Enacted
PL 374
S1
EUT 1884
An Act to Prohibit Offshore Wind Energy Development
Reported
Out
ONTP/OTP-
AM
6/16/23
Accepted
Majority
(ONTP) Report
S1
EUT 1887
An Act to Clarify the Review and Procurement Process for
Nonwires Alternatives
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/OTP-
AM
6/20/23
Enacted
PL 355
S1
EUT 1888
An Act to Reduce Electricity Costs for Maine's Consumers
and Businesses by Amending the Laws Governing
Renewable Resources
Reported
Out
ONTP/OTP-
AM
6/20/23
Accepted
Majority
(ONTP) Report
S1
EUT 1889
An Act to Provide Authorization to Aroostook County to
Use the Statewide Radio and Network System
Carry Over
Approved
Carried in
Comm
7/25/23
S1
EUT 1895
An Act Regarding the Procurement of Energy from Offshore
Wind Resources
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/ONTP
6/22/23
Enacted
PL 481
S1
EUT 1932
An Act to Require Broadband Internet Access Service
Providers to Prorate Customer Bills
Carry Over
Approved
Carried in
Comm
7/25/23
S1
EUT 1933
An Act to Increase the Debt Limit of the Limerick Water
District
Reported
Out
OTP
6/6/23
Emergency
Enacted
P&S 11
S1
EUT 1943
An Act Regarding Future Energy Procurements for
Renewable Energy Development in Northern Maine
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/ONTP
6/20/23
Enacted
PL 371
S1
EUT 1950
An Act to Raise the Debt Limit of the Stonington Water
Company
Reported
Out OTP
6/6/23
Emergency
Enacted
P&S 8
S1
EUT 1962
An Act to Limit Utility Shut-offs
Carry Over
Approved
Carried in
Comm
7/25/23
S1
EUT 1963
An Act Regarding the Future of Renewable Energy
Transmission in Northern Maine
Carry Over
Approved
Carried in
Comm
7/25/23
S1
EUT 1967
An Act to Support Municipal Franchise Agreements
Carry Over
Approved
Carried in
Comm
7/25/23
S1
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DIGEST OF BILLS
131ST LEGISLATURE FIRST REGULAR AND FIRST SPECIAL SESSIONS – 2023
Comm LD Title Comm Action Carried over?
Date of last
Comm
Action
Final
Disposition
Analyst
Note?
Session
Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology
Enacted Laws
Law Ch
EUT 1971
Resolve, to Ensure that Eligible Customers Receive
Payments from the Energy Rate Relief Fund
Reported
Out OTP-AM
6/6/23
Emergency
Finally Passed
RESLV 104
S1
EUT 1986
An Act Relating to Net Energy Billing and Distributed Solar
and Energy Storage Systems
Reported
Out
OTP-
AM/ONTP
6/22/23
Enacted
PL 411
S1
EUT 2016
An Act to Implement Recommendations of the Distributed
Generation Stakeholder Group
Carry Over
Approved
Carried in
Comm
7/25/23
S1
EUT 2012
An Act to Prohibit Early Termination Fees for Residential
Electric Generation Service Contracts
Reported
Out OTP/ONTP
6/22/23
Enacted
PL 375
S1
EUT 2013
An Act to Address Abandoned Capital Credits Held by Rural
Electrification Cooperatives
Reported
Out
OTP
6/23/23
Enacted
PL 483
S1
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JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY
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Page 1 of 21
LD 69 Resolve, to Direct the Public Utilities Commission to Consider Methods to Educate
Customers About Electricity Supply
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Resolve 2023, chapter 12 requires the Public Utilities Commission to issue a request to competitive
electricity providers and standard-offer service providers for information regarding the feasibility
of providing the cost in cents per kilowatt-hour to transmission and distribution utilities for each
power source used by the provider to serve its load. It also directs the commission to consider
methods it could undertake to better educate electric consumers on their electric energy supply and
the reasons for fluctuations in the price for that supply. By February 10, 2024, the commission
must submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology that
includes the information it receives from competitive electricity providers and standard-offer
service providers and the consumer education methods it considered. The committee may report
out a bill to the 131st Legislature in 2024.
LD 177 An Act to Amend the Authority of the Public Utilities Commission Regarding Access
to Information in Proceedings Involving Special Rate Contracts
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 64 allows the Public Utilities Commission to deny or limit access to
information by an attorney in a proceeding involving one or more special contracts if the
information is customarily regarded as confidential business information, the information relates
to the reasons or justification for the parties' entering into the special contract and the party
represented by the attorney is not a party to the special contract with the utility. The commission
may deny or limit access to information by any attorney in a proceeding involving one or more
special contracts after providing the attorney with an opportunity to be heard and upon finding that
the potential for harm from disclosure of the information outweighs the need for disclosure.
LD 187 An Act to Eliminate the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Resource Fund and to
Provide Needs-based Low-income Assistance
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 306 repeals the law establishing the Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Resource Fund. It requires alternative compliance payments made by competitive electricity
providers to the Public Utilities Commission, instead of being deposited into the Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Resource Fund, to be used by the commission to provide financial assistance for
low-income households.
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LD 194 An Act to Update and Clarify the Public Utilities Commission's Reporting
Requirements
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 77 updates the Public Utilities Commission’s annual reporting
requirements to remove outdated provisions and establish cross-references to certain specific
reporting requirements for clarity.
LD 211 An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Water Supply Protection Funds
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 137 amends the law governing the use of a water supply protection fund
by a consumer-owned water utility. It provides that a consumer-owned water utility may use water
supply protection funds to assist a holder to acquire interests in real property if that acquisition is
reasonably likely to result in or contribute to the protection of a public water supply. If a consumer-
owned water utility assists a holder in acquiring a conservation easement and the utility does not
acquire through the transaction a fee interest in the property, the law requires the utility to obtain
a third-party right of enforcement with respect to that easement. If a consumer-owned water utility
assists a holder in acquiring a fee interest in real property, the utility must acquire a conservation
easement unless the holder conveys a conservation easement to another holder, in which case the
utility must obtain a third-party right of enforcement with respect to that conservation easement.
LD 256 An Act to Add Electric Bicycles to the Electric Vehicle Rebate Program
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 140 permits the Efficiency Maine Trust to extend eligibility under the
electric vehicle rebate program to electric bicycles. If the trust extends eligibility to electric
bicycles, the trust must limit the rebates for electric bicycles under the program to recipients who
are low-income and moderate-income individuals and to entities that serve low-income and
moderate-income individuals, as determined by the trust. For a recipient to receive a rebate for
the purchase of an electric bicycle under the program, the electric bicycle must serve as the
recipient's principal means of commuting, as determined by the trust.
LD 325 An Act to Require Transparency in Public Utility Advertising Expenditures
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 286 repeals the section of existing law governing the expenses a public
utility may not include in its operating expenses and replaces it with a law that does the following.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY
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Page 3 of 21
1. It prohibits a public utility from including in operating expenses to be recovered from rates
certain expenses incurred by the public utility or an affiliated interest.
2. It permits certain public utilities to include in operating expenses those expenses related to
educational expenditures and contributions to a trade association, chamber of commerce, or
public charity.
3. It requires a public utility to file expense reports with the commission and make those reports
available to the public for inspection.
4. It specifies that commission rules related to political activities, promotional advertising,
charitable contributions, educational expenditures and institutional advertising are routine
technical rules.
5. It requires the commission, by November 1, 2023, to initiate rulemaking to amend its rules to
implement the requirements of the law.
LD 327 An Act to Provide Maine Ratepayers with Equitable Access to Interconnection of
Distributed Generation Resources
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 307 makes several changes to the Maine Solar Energy Act and directs
the Public Utilities Commission to engage in activities related to interconnection.
1. It creates a position within the commission for an interconnection ombudsman and establishes
the duties of this position. It requires the commission to make a good faith effort to appoint an
interconnection ombudsman within 12 months of the effective date of the law.
2. It directs the commission to monitor the level of solar energy development in the State, basic
trends in solar energy markets and the relative costs and benefits of solar energy development.
It requires the commission to provide, by January 1st of each year a summary report regarding
its monitoring activities to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction
over energy matters.
3. It directs the commission to adopt interconnection rules applicable to solar resources and to
energy storage systems within six months of the effective date of the law. The rules must
prioritize interconnection of solar resources and energy storage systems owned by customers
of investor-owned transmission and distribution utilities to offset on-site load.
4. It requires the commission to contract with an expert to conduct an evaluation of and issue a
report addressing whether treating distributed generation resources that use the tariff rate
program as load-reducing resources will provide greater value to all ratepayers than treating
those resources as wholesale generation resources and whether the tariff rate established by the
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35 A, section 3209-B, subsection 5 has been implemented in a
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY
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Page 4 of 21
way that maximizes the value of the portfolio of the resources to all ratepayers. The
commission must provide a copy of the expert's report and a description of any actions the
commission recommends with respect to the findings in the report to the joint standing
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy matters by September 1, 2024.
5. It requires the commission to establish an interconnection working group to collaborate to
prevent and resolve disputes relating to the implementation of the State's small generator
interconnection procedures for Level 1 and Level 2 facilities. The working group must meet
monthly for its first year and at least quarterly thereafter until the working group submits its
final report. The working group's final report must be submitted to the joint standing
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy matters by December 6, 2025.
LD 395 An Act to Expand Funding Sources Within the Public Utilities Commission for
Intervenor and Participant Funding
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 143 amends the law governing intervenor funding in the following ways.
1. It expands the law’s applicability to include participants in nonadjudicatory proceedings before
the Public Utilities Commission.
2. It includes administrative penalties collected by the commission in the allowable sources of
funding for intervenor or participant participation in commission proceedings.
3. It limits funding for an intervenor or participant in a commission proceeding involving a water
utility to only administrative penalties deposited in the Public Utilities Commission
Reimbursement Fund.
LD 396 An Act to Preserve the 207 Area Code and Impede So-called Robocalling
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 144 establishes various requirements related to voice network service
providers that acquire and place into service numbering resources for the State's numbering plan
area from the North American Numbering Plan Administrator or its successor.
1. It requires voice network service providers to pay into the State's universal service fund and
telecommunications education access fund.
2. It provides the Public Utilities Commission with the authority to investigate voice network
service providers for compliance with the requirements to contribute to the State's universal
service fund and telecommunications education access fund.
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3. It requires the commission, by January 12, 2024, to submit a report to the Joint Standing
Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology that includes information on compliance with
the State's universal service fund and telecommunications education access fund requirements,
an update on the commission's efforts to preserve the 207 area code and an analysis of whether
additional efforts are needed to ensure numbering resources are used efficiently.
The law also creates a registration process for a provider of interconnected voice over Internet
protocol service obtaining numbering resources in the State. It allows the commission to adopt
routine technical rules relating to the registration process.
LD 399 An Act to Amend the Portfolio Requirements for Class II Resources and Require
Money Collected from Alternative Compliance Payments to Be Used for Financial Assistance
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 361 extends the repeal date to 2027 for the law that adds a 300%
multiplier to the output of licensed power generators fueled by municipal solid waste in
conjunction with recycling for the purposes of meeting portfolio requirements for Class II
resources. It directs the Public Utilities Commission to establish by rule an alternative compliance
payment rate for Class II resources of not greater than $10. Funds received by the commission for
alternative compliance payments must be used to provide financial assistance for low-income
households in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 3214,
subsection 2.
LD 414 An Act to Clarify the Provision of Notice of Proposed Rate Increases to Public Utility
Customers
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 145 requires a public utility seeking a change in rates, tolls and charges
that increases the annual operating revenues of the utility by more than 1% to send a notice of the
increase to its customers. The Public Utilities Commission must prepare the notice in consultation
with the utility. If the utility seeks a rate increase greater than what was stated in the notice after
the notice was sent, the utility must notify the commission. If the utility demonstrates good cause,
the commission may allow the utility to seek the increase greater than what was stated in the notice
subject to reasonable conditions established by the commission, which may include requiring the
utility to send a new notice to its customers describing the revised proposed increase.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY
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LD 496 An Act to Address Battery Storage System Decommissioning and Clarify Solar
Energy Development Decommissioning
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 215 prohibits a person from constructing, causing to be constructed, or
operating a battery storage system development with a capacity of two megawatts or more without
first obtaining approval of a decommissioning plan from an environmental permitting entity. It
establishes the requirements for a decommissioning plan, including the removal of the battery
storage system development components, recycling of the waste components that are recyclable
and regrading and revegetation of all earth disturbed during construction and decommissioning.
The plan must include demonstration of current and future financial capacity to fully fund
decommissioning under the plan.
The law clarifies the existing solar energy development decommissioning law by providing that
the Department of Environmental Protection and the Maine Land Use Planning Commission are
authorized, but not required, to adopt rules to implement the solar decommissioning requirements.
It also adds language to clarify the applicability of the solar energy development decommissioning
requirements.
LD 509 An Act to Amend the Net Energy Billing Laws to Direct Expiring Net Energy Billing
Credits to Provide Low-income Assistance
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 230 directs the Public Utilities Commission to require transmission and
distribution utilities with net energy billing arrangements to remit the value of unused and expired
net energy billing credits to the commission to be used for the benefit of individuals receiving low
income assistance.
LD 519 Resolve, to Evaluate a Vehicle-to-grid Pilot Project Using Electric School Buses
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Resolve 2023, chapter 32 requires the Efficiency Maine Trust to assess the feasibility of
establishing a vehicle-to-grid pilot project operated at the Wells-Ogunquit Community School
District demonstrating the use of electric school buses to store energy from the electric grid during
times of low demand and discharge the stored energy to the grid during times of high demand.
The trust is required to submit an assessment of the pilot project to the Joint Standing Committee
on Energy, Utilities and Technology, including a recommendation as to whether or not a pilot
project would be feasible and, if the trust recommends implementing a pilot project, a proposed
project design and budget.
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LD 542 Resolve, Directing the Public Utilities Commission to Investigate Time-of-use Rates
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Resolve 2023, chapter 79 directs the Public Utilities Commission to investigate the feasibility of
requiring standard-offer service to include a time-of-use rate option, including whether the
commission recommends the use of a pilot program to assess this option and requiring all investor-
owned transmission and distribution utilities to offer a time-of-use rate for the delivery of
electricity for all customer classes that would complement a time-of-use supply rate. The
commission is required to submit a report, by January 15, 2024, to the Joint Standing Committee
on Energy, Utilities and Technology that includes a summary of the commission's investigation
along with any findings and recommendations related to the report. The committee may report
out a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature.
LD 640 An Act to Update the Charter of the Lewiston-Auburn Water Pollution Control
Authority
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Private and Special Law 2023, chapter 3 amends the charter of the Lewiston-Auburn Water
Pollution Control Authority to reflect position changes, remove obsolete language, clarify
language regarding board members, update a statutory reference and make other changes to reflect
the current operations of the authority.
LD 698 An Act to Reduce the Cost of Energy in Maine and Reduce Greenhouse Gas
Emissions Through the Effective Use of Renewably Sourced Gas
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 222 requires the Public Utilities Commission to monitor proceedings at
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and intervene and participate in those proceedings
related to interstate natural gas transmission capacity in New England and the Northeast that could
affect natural gas prices in the State if the commission believes that intervention and participation
will best represent the interests of the State's electric and gas ratepayers. If the commission has
intervened and participated in a proceeding, the commission must by December 31st of that year,
submit a report summarizing its participation to the joint standing committee of the Legislature
having jurisdiction over energy and utility matters.
The law defines "renewably sourced gas" and provides that a gas utility may petition the
commission to utilize renewably sourced gas. The commission may authorize the use of such gas
upon a finding that the utility's proposed use is safe and reliable, that its use can be provided to
customers at a just and reasonable rate and that it may reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet
the greenhouse gas emissions reduction levels set forth in statute.
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The law repeals the section of law that prohibits the commission from executing a contract for
physical energy storage after June 1, 2017 and a contract for energy cost reduction after December
31, 2020. It requires the commission to issue a request for information after consultation with the
Office of the Public Advocate, the Governor's Energy Office and the Efficiency Maine Trust
regarding reasonable opportunities for the commission to explore and consider engaging in the
execution of an energy cost reduction contract or a physical energy storage contract. The
commission's request for information must also seek identification of existing and near-term
replacement energy sources for natural gas in commercial and industrial uses, including when the
replacement energy sources are expected to be available, the cost of those replacement energy
sources and the steps needed to develop a cost-effective and reliable supply of such replacement
energy sources. The commission must submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Energy,
Utilities and Technology by February 1, 2024 that includes a summary of the responses the
commission received from its request for information, any actions taken by the commission as a
result of the information received and any recommendations.
LD 923 An Act to Improve Disclosure of Present and Future Costs to Maine Electricity
Consumers
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 121 requires the Public Utilities Commission to annually publish on its
publicly accessible website current residential transmission and distribution utility rates and the
standard-offer supply rates.
The law also requires the commission to determine the method necessary to convey to residential
ratepayers of a transmission and distribution utility the anticipated effects of all deferred costs
approved by the commission on residential transmission and distribution utility rates and to publish
this information on the commission's publicly accessible website by November 1, 2023. The
commission must provide this information along with any recommended legislation to the Joint
Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology, which may report out legislation to the
Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature.
LD 924 Resolve, to Provide Legislative Approval of the Transmission Project Selected by
the Public Utilities Commission Pursuant to the Northern Maine Renewable Energy
Development Program
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Resolve 2023, chapter 66 provides that the Legislature approves the construction of a 1,200-
megawatt capacity, 345-kilovolt transmission line and associated interconnection facilities
pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 3132, subsection 6-C. The resolve
specifies that the Legislature does not, through the passage of the resolve, provide approval for the
transmission line to cross or utilize designated public lands.
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LD 925 An Act to Allow the Baileyville Utilities District to Disconnect Water Service for a
Customer's Failure to Pay for Sewer Service Provided by the Town of Baileyville
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Private and Special Law 2023, chapter 6 amends the charter for the Baileyville Utilities District to
allow the district to disconnect water service for a customer if that same customer fails to pay for
sewer service that is provided by the Town of Baileyville if the disconnection is in accordance
with procedures established by applicable laws or rules and terms and conditions approved by the
Public Utilities Commission. The disconnection is allowed only if the customer whose water
service is subject to a disconnection is the same customer who has not paid for sewer service and
the water and sewer services are provided to the same location.
LD 952 Resolve, to Create a 21st-Century Electric Grid
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Resolve 2023, chapter 67 directs the Governor's Energy Office to issue a request for proposals to
hire a third-party consultant to conduct a two-part study for the design of a distribution system
operator in the State. The distribution system operator must be designed to oversee integrated
system planning for all electric grids in the State, including coordinating energy planning efforts
across state agencies; operate all electric grids in the State to ensure optimum operations,
efficiency, equity, reliability and customer service; administer an open and transparent market for
distributed energy resources; and facilitate the achievement of the State's greenhouse gas reduction
obligations and climate policies. In the consultant's initial study, the consultant must evaluate
whether a distribution system operator could be designed to achieve a demonstrable reduction in
electricity costs for customers, improved electric system reliability and performance in the State,
accelerated achievement of the State's climate goals and growth of distributed energy resources.
If the consultant’s initial study finds that a distribution system operator could be designed to
achieve the required objectives and the office agrees with the consultant's conclusion, the office
must authorize the consultant to conduct the second part of the study to create a design proposal.
If the office does not authorize the consultant to conduct the second part of the study, the office
must present the initial study to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction
over energy matters within 60 days of the completion of the consultant's initial study.
If the office authorizes the second part of the study to create a design proposal, upon its completion,
the office is required to prepare an analysis based on the consultant's design proposal and provide
it to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy matters by
January 1, 2025.
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LD 987 Resolve, Directing the Public Utilities Commission to Initiate a Proceeding to
Explore Strategies to Procure Standard-offer Service in a Manner that Promotes the
Stability of Residential Standard-offer Rates
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Resolve 2023, chapter 39 directs the Public Utilities Commission to initiate a proceeding to
develop a procurement strategy and consider other measures that could be used to increase rate
stability for residential customers that receive standard-offer service. In the proceeding, the
commission must consider the use of varied contract lengths and terms to reduce price
volatility from year to year.
LD 1065 An Act to Improve the Telecommunications Relay Services Council by Reducing
Its Membership and Allowing for the Hiring of an Executive Director
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 182 amends the law governing the Telecommunications Relay Services
Council to reduce the number of members appointed by the Governor from 8 to 6 by removing the
member of a telephone association and the member representing a company that provides
telecommunications relay services. It adds a member from the Maine Connectivity Authority
appointed by the president of the authority. It also directs the council to hire a part-time executive
director and establishes the duties of the executive director.
LD 1101 An Act to Support Lower Home Energy Costs by Establishing a Home Energy
Scoring System
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 259 directs the Efficiency Maine Trust to establish a home energy
scoring system for residential buildings for the purposes of evaluating a building’s energy
efficiency. The trust must establish a process by which a recipient of a home energy score may
voluntarily report the score to the trust and establish and maintain a database of home energy
scores.
LD 1223 An Act to Clarify Insurance in the Joint Use of Public Utility Equipment
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 313 provides that a shared-use pole owner may not require a
municipality, as a condition of the municipality's attachment to the pole, to purchase and maintain
a general liability insurance policy with a limit in excess of $5,000,000 per occurrence. It clarifies
that the provision of the Maine Tort Claims Act relating to insurance coverage applies to the
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municipality's liability limits and areas of liability if the municipality purchases such coverage.
The law includes a repeal date of October 1, 2028.
LD 1408 An Act to Reduce Maine's Dependence on Fossil Fuels and Carbon Footprint for
Energy Production Using Waste Wood Fuel
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 353 does the following.
1. It requires the Bureau of Forestry to submit to the joint standing committee of the Legislature
having jurisdiction over energy matters a copy of any report related to wood processing that
the bureau submits to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over
forestry management matters.
2. It amends the definition of net generating capacity for the purposes of the combined heat and
power program to exclude energy provided behind the meter to facilities adjacent to an electric
generating facility.
3. It increases the allowable net generating capacity of a combined heat and power program
participant to no more than 15 megawatts and increases the total net generating capacity for all
combined heat and power program participants to no more than 30 megawatts.
4. It requires the Public Utilities Commission to evaluate combined heat and power projects on a
technology-specific basis when determining whether a project is highly efficient.
5. It limits the combined heat and power program to contracts for only energy instead of energy,
capacity resources and renewable energy credits.
6. It establishes criteria to allow a combined heat and power program participant located in the
service territory of a consumer-owned transmission and distribution utility to provide energy
to an investor-owned transmission and distribution utility pursuant to a long-term contract
under the program.
LD 1427 An Act to Allow the Public Utilities Commission to Provide Financial Assistance to
Low-income Households in Emergency Situations
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 201 allows the Public Utilities Commission, as part of a low-income
assistance program, to provide financial assistance to low-income households in emergency
situations as determined by the commission in a proceeding or by rule. It also requires the
commission to identify the sources of low-income assistance program funds in its annual report to
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the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over public utilities regarding
low-income assistance programs.
LD 1456 Resolve, to Study the Effect of Current Laws and Rules on the Expansion of
Broadband
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Resolve 2023, chapter 81 directs the Public Utilities Commission to study current pole attachment
laws and rules and the effect of those laws and rules on municipal broadband expansion. The study
must include a review of each stage of the pole make-ready process, an estimate of the number of
utility poles statewide that could accommodate municipal facility attachments without the need to
replace the pole, an assessment of the commission’s enforcement practices and related laws
applicable to utility poles and a review of the commission’s current educational resources related
to pole attachments and the effectiveness of those resources. The law requires the commission to
submit an initial report of the study by February 15, 2024 and a final report by December 1, 2024
to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over utility matters.
LD 1479 Resolve, Directing the Public Utilities Commission to Convene a Stakeholder
Group Regarding Liquefied Propane Gas Systems and the So-called Dig Safe Law
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Resolve 2023, chapter 47 directs the Public Utilities Commission to convene a stakeholder group
to discuss matters related to the underground facility damage prevention system, including options
that may be available to the commission to ensure the safety measures established by the system
are maintained while reducing administrative requirements for membership and participation in
the system that are applicable to liquefied propane gas distribution systems that have an
underground tank or pipe. The resolve specifies the membership of the stakeholder group and
requires the commission to submit a report, by December 6, 2023, to the Joint Standing Committee
on Energy, Utilities and Technology summarizing the stakeholder discussions including any
recommended legislation.
LD 1591 An Act to Promote Economic Reuse of Contaminated Land Through Clean Energy
Development
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 321 directs the Public Utilities Commission to initiate a competitive
solicitation for energy and renewable energy credits equal to 5% of the retail electricity sales in
the State for the period from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 plus any amount contracted
for under previous procurements that the commission determines are unfulfilled. Projects eligible
to be selected for contracts are Class IA resources that begin commercial operation on or after
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September 19, 2023 and for which a system impact study has been filed. A project pairing eligible
Class IA resources with an energy storage system is also eligible to be selected for a contract. In
conducting a solicitation and selecting projects for contracts, the commission must consider the
expected effect of eligible Class IA resources on other renewable resources due to congestion and
curtailment, select only those eligible Class IA resources or combined projects for contracts that
will benefit ratepayers and give a primary preference to those eligible Class IA resources or
combined projects that are located on contaminated lands and secondary preference to eligible
Class IA resources or combined projects that minimize use of farmland that is not contaminated
land and minimize use of forested land. The commission must use procured renewable energy
credits to offset a standard-offer service provider's renewable resource portfolio requirements.
The law also requires the Governor's Energy Office, in consultation with the commission, to
review the status and impacts of the implementation of the State's renewable resources portfolio
requirements and submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having
jurisdiction over energy matters. The first report must be submitted by March 31, 2024 and
subsequent reports every three years thereafter.
LD 1654 An Act to Extend the Time for Certain Public Utilities Commission Proceedings
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 168 extends the time period during which the Public Utilities
Commission may make determinations on rate increases, affiliate transactions, reorganizations and
certificates of public convenience and necessity. It allows for an extension of a period of
suspension of the operation of a schedule of a public utility under certain circumstances. It extends
the period of approval for a petition for a proposed transmission line from nine to 12 months.
LD 1655 An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Consumer-owned Water Utilities
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 325 does the following.
1. It increases the gross annual revenues thresholds that trigger audits for qualified small water
utilities and permits the Public Utilities Commission, for good cause shown, to waive the
requirements for an annual review or audit for qualified small water utilities.
2. It exempts consumer-owned water utilities from certain requirements, including authorization
by the commission for the issuance of stocks, bonds and notes.
3. It removes the requirement that consumer-owned water utilities publish notices of public
hearings and rate changes in a newspaper and instead provides the commission with the
authority to prescribe the manner in which notice is provided to customers of these utilities.
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4. It increases the total annual revenues thresholds that classify what qualifies as a small, medium
and large consumer-owned water utility.
5. It creates an expedited rate adjustment mechanism for consumer-owned water utilities to allow
for up to a 1.5% increase in the current total annual revenue as long as proper notice is
provided.
6. It creates a process for two or more consumer-owned water utilities to petition the commission
to consolidate into a single utility. The commission must report annually on consolidation
activities to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over utilities
matters and include in that report draft charter language that the committee may report out to
create the new consolidated utility.
LD 1692 An Act to Create the Guilford-Sangerville Utilities District
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Private and Special Law 2023, chapter 15 establishes the Guilford-Sangerville Utilities District,
pending voter referendum.
Private and Special Law 2023, chapter 15 was enacted as an emergency measure effective
June 26, 2023.
LD 1693 An Act to Amend the Kennebunk Sewer District Charter
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Private and Special Law 2023, chapter 7 amends the charter of the Kennebunk Sewer District to
update the description of the district's territorial limits.
LD 1724 An Act to Enact the Beneficial Electrification Policy Act
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 328 does the following.
1. It enacts the Beneficial Electrification Policy Act which includes provisions that do the
following.
A. It allows the Governor's Energy Office to petition the Public Utilities Commission to
procure energy from renewable resources and allows the commission to initiate a
competitive solicitation to approve one or more contracts for energy from renewable
resources.
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B. It directs the Efficiency Maine Trust to develop a 3-year beneficial electrification plan as
a part of its triennial plan.
C. It requires, to the extent possible through readily available information, the office, the
commission and the trust to monitor beneficial electrification activities, trends and costs
and benefits to ratepayers.
D. It requires the commission, the office and the trust to include information on beneficial
electrification activities in each entity's annual report to the Legislature.
2. It amends the definition of "beneficial electrification" in existing law to include a process.
3. It directs the trust to plan and implement programs to advance the policy of beneficial
electrification.
4. It directs the commission to conduct a study of how to cost-effectively provide consumer
financing of beneficial electrification products including products for energy efficiency, home
or business energy storage, electric vehicle charging equipment and other distributed energy
products. The commission must submit a report on the study to the Joint Standing Committee
on Energy, Utilities and Technology by January 5, 2024.
LD 1828 An Act Regarding Enhanced 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 186 requires a public safety answering point to provide notice to the
Emergency Services Communication Bureau prior to discontinuing service to a municipality. It
specifies that the bureau must find reasonable grounds to authorize a public safety answering point
to provide less than one year's notice of its discontinuation of service and provides that a violation
of the notice requirement is a civil violation for which a fine of up to $50 per day may be adjudged.
The law specifies that the bureau may establish additional public safety answering points
regardless of the limitation on the number of public safety answering points in the Maine Revised
Statutes, Title 25, section 2926, subsection 2-A if the bureau determines that a public safety
answering point is necessary to ensure public safety and access to E-9-1-1 services. The law also
requires the bureau to conduct a study assessing whether public safety answering points can be
more efficiently managed to ensure stability of the system. The Public Utilities Commission must
provide a report on the results of the study by February 1, 2024 to the joint standing committee of
the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy, utilities and technology matters.
Public Law 2023, chapter 186 was enacted as an emergency measure effective June 15, 2023.
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LD 1850 An Act Relating to Energy Storage and the State's Energy Goals
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 374 does the following.
1. It modifies the state goal for energy storage system development to at least 300 megawatts of
installed capacity by December 31, 2025 and at least 400 megawatts by December 31, 2030.
It provides that, beginning January 1, 2024 and every 2 years thereafter, the Governor's Energy
Office may reevaluate and increase the state goal.
2. It directs the office, in consultation with the Public Utilities Commission, to evaluate designs
for and recommend a program to procure commercially available utility-scale energy storage
systems connected to the transmission and distribution systems, including but not limited to
through the use of an index storage credit mechanism. It directs the commission to evaluate
whether the program recommended by the office is reasonably likely to achieve the certain
objectives. Upon finding the proposed program reasonably likely to achieve those objectives,
the commission must take steps to implement the program in accordance with any applicable
authority the commission may have and the commission may submit to the joint standing
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy matters recommendations for any
changes to law needed to allow the commission to fully implement the program. The joint
standing committee may report out legislation related to energy storage to the 132nd
Legislature in 2025.
3. It requires the office to study long-duration energy storage and submit a report to the Joint
Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology no later than February 1, 2024. The
report must include a discussion of technology options for long-duration energy storage, an
overview of known cost and performance characteristics, a discussion of scenarios for the use
of long-duration energy storage and consideration of whether and under what conditions the
use of long-duration energy storage would be cost-effective for ratepayers in the state.
4. It directs the commission to solicit stakeholder input on whether an investor-owned
transmission and distribution utility may own, have a financial interest in or otherwise control
energy storage systems in order to perform its obligations as a transmission and distribution
utility in an effective, prudent and efficient manner. The commission is required to submit a
report containing any recommendations based on its activities to the Joint Standing Committee
on Energy, Utilities and Technology no later than February 15, 2024.
LD 1887 An Act to Clarify the Review and Procurement Process for Nonwires Alternatives
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 355 makes the following changes to the laws governing electric
transmission lines and projects and nonwires alternatives.
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1. It repeals the definition of "nontransmission alternative" and incorporates aspects of the
definition of "nontransmission alternative" into the definition of "nonwires alternative." It
includes energy storage as a nonwires alternative in the definition of "nonwires alternative."
2. It amends the existing definition of "transmission project" and adds a definition of
"subtransmission project."
3. It prohibits a person from constructing a subtransmission project without approval from the
Public Utilities Commission.
4. It allows an investor-owned transmission and distribution utility or the Office of the Public
Advocate to petition commission to resolve a dispute between the nonwires alternative
coordinator and the utility regarding nonwires alternatives to proposed small transmission
projects and distribution projects.
5. It provides that an investor-owned transmission and distribution utility may request a
protective order if necessary to protect the confidentiality of customer data or critical energy
infrastructure information provided to the Public Advocate or the Efficiency Maine Trust to
allow the nonwires alternative coordinator to carry out certain investigation and analysis.
6. It provides that when the commission determines a nonwires alternative is appropriate in
certain cases involving the review of transmission and distribution projects, the nonwires
alternative must be prudently procured.
7. It removes language that provides that when an investor-owned transmission and distribution
utility voluntarily agrees to a nonwires alternative on the grid side of the meter regarding
certain small transmission and distribution projects, the utility must determine the entity to
deliver the nonwires alternative.
LD 1895 An Act Regarding the Procurement of Energy from Offshore Wind Resources
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 481 does the following.
1. It requires an agreement for construction work in connection with the construction or alteration
of an offshore wind terminal that is a public work to support an offshore wind power project
to comply with the requirements applicable to either a project labor agreement or community
and workforce enhancement standards. It provides that if an offshore wind power project
involves a public-private partnership that includes the lease of an offshore wind terminal
owned or operated by the State, the department, authority or other agency responsible for
granting the lease must require agreements that comply with the requirements applicable to
either a project labor agreement or community and workforce enhancement standards as a
condition of the lease for all on-site construction and fabrication of materials for the offshore
wind power project.
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2. It makes the following changes to the Maine Wind Energy Act.
A. It updates the State's goal for wind energy development in proximate federal waters.
B. It makes changes to the Offshore Wind Research Consortium, including expanding the
membership of the advisory board, and to the Offshore Wind Research Consortium Fund,
including adding payments from offshore wind power projects to the sources of money that
come into the fund.
C. It establishes the Maine Offshore Wind Renewable Energy and Economic Development
Program to further the development and use of offshore wind power projects in the Gulf of
Maine. The program is administered by the Governor's Energy Office in collaboration
with the Public Utilities Commission.
D. It directs the Governor's Energy Office to establish a schedule for competitive solicitations
and prepare requests for proposals for the development and construction of offshore wind
power projects to meet the goals of the Maine Offshore Wind Renewable Energy and
Economic Development Program. Each solicitation must seek proposals for not less than
approximately 600 megawatts of nameplate capacity or projects of sufficient size to enable
cost-competitive commercial-scale development. A solicitation must specify bidder
criteria, including the submission of plans addressing stakeholder engagement; economic
and community benefits; diversity, equity and inclusion in employment and contracting for
the project; fisheries research, monitoring and mitigation; and environmental and wildlife
research, monitoring, mitigation and conservation. The criteria must also require the
submission of a fishing communities investment plan and an agreement by the responsible
entity, if it is approved for a contract, to pay an amount per megawatt of capacity to the
Offshore Wind Research Consortium Fund and an agreement to provide financial and
technical assistance necessary to implement the required plans. It also establishes
community and workforce enhancement standards as requirements and standards that
contractors, subcontractors and individuals performing construction work on offshore wind
power projects must meet.
E. It requires the commission to review the office’s request for proposals and, upon finding
that the request for proposals is reasonably likely to attract competitive bids, issue the
request for proposals. The commission is required to select projects that result in contracts
that are cost-effective for electric ratepayers over the term of the contract, taking into
consideration potential quantitative and qualitative economic, environmental and other
benefits to ratepayers. The commission must give priority to projects that meet certain
criteria.
F. It authorizes the commission to conduct one or more competitive solicitations for proposals
for the development and construction of offshore wind energy transmission projects or
other electric infrastructure projects to facilitate offshore wind energy development.
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3. It establishes a visual impact standard to evaluate the effect of the development of an offshore
wind terminal.
4. It requires the Office of Tax Policy in the Department of Administrative and Financial
Services, Bureau of Revenue Services, in consultation with the Department of Marine
Resources and the Governor's Energy Office, to develop the Fishing Community Tax Incentive
Program to provide tax credits to applicants for qualified investments in offshore wind power
projects. The Office of Tax Policy is required to publicize and seek public comment on the
proposed program before submitting it, including suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing
Committee on Taxation and the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology
by February 1, 2024.
LD 1933 An Act to Increase the Debt Limit of the Limerick Water District
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Private and Special Law 2023, chapter 11 increases the debt limit of the Limerick Water District
from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000.
Private and Special Law 2023, chapter 11 was enacted as an emergency measure effective
June 16, 2023.
LD 1943 An Act Regarding Future Energy Procurements for Renewable Energy
Development in Northern Maine
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 371 directs the Public Utilities Commission to issue a request for
proposals for the development and construction of renewable energy generation projects in
northern Maine to maximize the use of the transmission line proposal selected in accordance with
the Northern Maine Renewable Energy Development Program. The law provides that the
commission must conduct the request for proposals and approval of contracts, if practicable, on a
schedule to allow selected projects to seek inclusion in the Third Maine Resource Integration Study
and the subsequent cluster system impact study.
LD 1950 An Act to Raise the Debt Limit of the Stonington Water Company
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Private and Special Law 2023, chapter 8 increases the total amount of debt the Stonington Water
Company may incur from $1,000,000 to $10,000,000.
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Private and Special Law 2023, chapter 8 was enacted as an emergency measure effective
June 13, 2023.
LD 1971 Resolve, to Ensure that Eligible Customers Receive Payments from the
Energy Rate Relief Fund
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Resolve 2023, chapter 104 ensures that an eligible customer of an electric utility receives a
payment from the Energy Rate Relief Fund under Resolve 2021, chapter 168 even if that
customer did not receive a February 2022 invoice from that electric utility.
Resolve 2023, chapter 104 was finally passed as an emergency measure effective July 26, 2023.
LD 1986 An Act Relating to Net Energy Billing and Distributed Solar and Energy Storage
Systems
ENACTED LAW SUMMARY
Public Law 2023, chapter 411 does the following.
1. It establishes the Distributed Solar and Energy Storage Program to obtain and provide federal
funding to foster the continued growth of cost-effective distributed solar facilities and energy
storage systems in the State.
2. It limits participation in the kilowatt hour credit and tariff rate net energy billing programs for
distributed generation resources with a nameplate capacity greater than or equal to one
megawatt and less than or equal to two megawatts to those resources that, on or before
December 31, 2024, reach commercial operation by the date specified in the net energy billing
agreement or by the date specified with an allowable modification to that agreement.
3. After December 31, 2023, it limits participation in the tariff rate net energy billing program to
distributed generation resources that are collocated with all of the distributed generation
resource's net energy billing customers and those customers are subscribed to 100% of the
facility's output. The limitation does not apply to a distributed generation resource with a net
energy billing agreement that was executed on or before December 31, 2023.
4. It requires the Public Utilities Commission to annually determine the net energy billing costs
and the benefits of distributed generation under net energy billing programs for the previous
year and to allocate to each investor-owned transmission and distribution utility its pro rata
share of net energy billing costs. The allocation must be based on each utility's total retail
kilowatt-hour energy sales to ratepayers that pay net energy billing costs.
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5. It establishes parameters for a competitive solicitation and procurement by the commission
that may procure energy or renewable energy credits from distributed generation resources that
have met or are reasonably likely to meet certain net energy billing eligibility criteria as
determined by the commission or, for distributed generation resources that have a nameplate
capacity of at least one megawatt and not more than two megawatts, are a member of a cluster
study conducted by a transmission and distribution utility or are likely to receive required
transmission approval from the New England independent system operator on or before April
30, 2024. If the commission determines that a procurement of energy or renewable energy
credits is in the public interest, the commission must select distributed generation resources for
contracts. Distributed generation resources that are awarded contracts as a result of the
competitive solicitation may not participate in net energy billing and must terminate any net
energy billing arrangements or agreements.
6. It directs the commission to conduct one or more proceedings to examine and evaluate designs
for programs to reduce net energy billing costs in which a distributed generation resource may
elect to participate, including, but not limited to, designs that include long-term financial
mechanisms and buy-down arrangements. If the commission finds the implementation of a
program to be in the public interest, the commission must establish and implement the
program. By March 31, 2024, the commission must provide a report of its activities regarding
these programs to the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology.
LD 2012 An Act to Prohibit Early Termination Fees for Residential Electric Generation
Service Contracts
Enacted Law Summary
Public Law 2023, chapter 375 prohibits a competitive electricity provider from entering into or
renewing a contract for generation service that imposes an early termination fee.
LD 2013 An Act to Address Abandoned Capital Credits Held by Rural Electrification
Cooperatives
Enacted Law Summary
Public Law 2023, chapter 483 provides that a deposit or refund owed to a member of a rural
electrification cooperative that is unclaimed by the member one year after the deposit or refund
becomes payable must be used to provide assistance to low income households.
