121st Maine Legislature
Office of Fiscal and Program Review
LD 1949
An Act Relating to Certain Energy Responsibilities of the Public Utilities Commission
LR 2853(01)
Fiscal Note for Original Bill
Committee: Utilities and Energy
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
   
             
Fiscal Note
Minor cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill moves certain energy-related responsibilities from the Department of Economic and Community Development to the Public Utilities Commission and directs the commission to seek federal funds to assist in the administration of these programs.  It also moves the Energy Conservation Small Business Revolving Loan program to the Public Utilities Commission.
To allow for the continuation of the Energy Conservation Revolving Loan program and pursuant to 35-A MRSA, section 3211-B, $361,702 in the All Other line category was transferred, by journal entry, by the Public Utilities Commission to the existing PUC - Conservation Administration dedicated account through financial order #00934 F4 approved by the Governor on February 11, 2004.
LD 1919, the Governor's second proposed supplemental budget, includes a deallocation of $150,000 in fiscal year 2003-04 and $160,000 in fiscal year 2004-05 in the Energy Conservation Division program within the Department of Economic and Community Development to reflect the transfer of the Energy Conservation Revolving Loan Program to the Public Utilities Commission.
Additional costs to the Plumbers' Examining Board and the Electricians' Examining Board within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation associated with conferring with the commission on course content and requirements for voluntary training programs can be absorbed utilizing existing budgeted resources.