| | 1. Council established. The Maine Energy Council, referred | to in this section as "the council," is established to evaluate | matters affecting electricity supply and costs to consumers in | this State and to provide recommendations to the Governor, the | Public Utilities Commission, other appropriate state agencies and | the Legislature regarding these matters. |
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| | 2. Membership. The council consists of 17 members. | Appointing authorities shall seek to ensure representation of all | areas of the State. Members are appointed as follows: |
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| A. Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of | the Senate, one of whom must be a member of the political | party holding the largest number of seats in the Senate and | one of whom must be a member of the political party holding | the 2nd-largest number of seats in the Senate; |
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| B. Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed | by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom | must be a member of the political party holding the largest | number of seats in the House and one of whom must be a | member of the political party holding the 2nd-largest number | of seats in the House; |
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| C. The chair of the Public Utilities Commission or the | chair's designee; |
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| D. The Public Advocate or the Public Advocate's designee; |
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| E. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection or the | commissioner's designee; |
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| F. One member representing the Governor's office, appointed | by the Governor; and |
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| G. Nine persons appointed by the Governor, including: |
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| (1) One member from the University of Maine System who | has expertise in energy issues; |
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| (2) One member representing electricity generators | with a capacity in excess of 100 megawatts; |
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| (3) One member representing electricity generators | that rely on renewable energy resources; |
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| (4) One member representing competitive electricity | providers; |
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