Resolve, To Ensure the Success of Regional Climate Change Efforts

Sec. 1. Office of Public Advocate study. Resolved: That the Office of the Public Advocate shall, in consultation with the Public Utilities Commission, other state agencies and interested members of the public, study the possible economic impacts of the regional greenhouse gas initiative, referred to in this resolve as "the initiative" and as authorized by the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, section 579, upon all Maine electricity consumers. The Public Advocate's study shall determine, based on several alternative scenarios, the possible range of cost impacts on affected Maine electricity consumers on an annual basis for each of the first 10 years of the initiative program. As part of this study, the Public Advocate shall identify alternatives for reducing the cost of implementation of the initiative upon Maine electricity consumers and may include in the report proposed legislation designed to reduce such costs and to ensure the successful implementation of the initiative. The report must also determine the effect upon any manufacturing facility that acquires thermal and electric energy from an initiative-designated power plant and must identify the recipients of revenues derived from Maine electricity consumers under the initiative. The report and accompanying legislative proposals must be submitted to the Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy by January 1, 2008. The committee may submit legislation to reduce the costs of the initiative to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature.

summary

This resolve requires the Public Advocate to undertake a study of the potential economic impacts on Maine electricity consumers of the regional greenhouse gas initiative, which is part of the State's climate action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As part of the study, the Public Advocate shall look at and propose to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature alternatives to reduce the costs of the initiative.