Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the emergency clause and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §3211-C, sub-§1, ¶A-1 is enacted to read:
A-1. "Qualified solar thermal water system installer" means a person who has been certified by the commission to install solar thermal systems designed to heat water and who holds a current license from the State as a master plumber, as a master oil burner technician or as a propane and natural gas technician or has been certified as a type II, type III or universal heating, ventilation and air conditioning refrigeration technician through a certification program approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Sec. 2. 35-A MRSA §3211-C, sub-§1, ¶C, as reallocated by RR 2005, c. 1, §17, is amended to read:
C. "Solar thermal system" means a configuration of solar collectors and a pump, heat exchanger and storage tank or fans designed to heat water or air for the purpose of space heating, domestic water heating or both space and domestic water heating. Solar thermal system types include forced circulation, integral collector storage, thermosyphon and self-pumping systems.
Sec. 3. 35-A MRSA §3211-C, sub-§2, ¶B, as amended by PL 2007, c. 29, §1, is further amended to read:
B. To qualify for a rebate, a solar thermal system designed to heat water must be installed by a licensed plumber who has been certified by the commission to install such systems or by a licensed plumber working in conjunction with a person who has been certified by the commission to install such systems qualified solar thermal water system installer and, if the solar thermal system is designed to heat potable water, it must be installed by a qualified solar thermal water system installer who holds a current license as a master plumber or by a qualified solar thermal water system installer working in conjunction with a master plumber.
Sec. 4. Rules amended. The Public Utilities Commission shall amend its rules pertaining to the solar energy rebate program under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 3211-C.
1. The commission shall amend its rules to implement the provisions of this Act that amend Title 35-A, section 3211-C.
2. The commission shall amend its rules that pertain to requirements for obtaining a rebate to include language that states that an application for a solar thermal system rebate must include a copy of the certificate of competency issued by the commission to the installer and, if the solar thermal system incorporates the heating of potable water, the application must include a copy of the master plumber's license or license number.’
This amendment replaces the bill. The amendment makes necessary changes to the laws governing the solar energy rebate program to change the qualifications of solar thermal system installers to be consistent with the intent of the bill. The amendment also directs the Public Utilities Commission to make several corresponding changes to its rules governing the solar energy rebate program.