Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §3204, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 316, §3, is amended to read:

6. Generation assets permitted. On or after March 1, 2000, notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter, the commission may allow an investor-owned transmission and distribution utility to own, have a financial interest in or otherwise control generation and generation-related assets to the extent that the commission finds that ownership, interest or control is necessary for the utility to perform its obligations as a transmission and distribution utility in an efficient manner. An affiliate of an investor-owned transmission and distribution utility may own, have a financial interest in or otherwise control a generation asset located on the premises of a customer if such a facility is for the sole use of the customer or the customer's tenants or for the use of or for the production of electricity for sale to the customer's associates and not for retail sales of electricity.

SUMMARY

This bill allows affiliates of the state transmission and distribution utilities to assist customers in the self-generation of electric energy by permitting such utilities to take an ownership interest in generation facilities on the premises of a customer if such facilities are for the sole use of the customers or their tenants or associates and not for retail sales of electricity.