Resolve, Regarding Maine’s Renewable Resource Portfolio Requirements

Sec. 1. Portfolio requirements for new renewable capacity resources. Resolved: That the Public Utilities Commission, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," shall review and make recommendations for improvements to the portfolio requirements for new renewable capacity resources in Title 35-A, section 3210, subsection 3-A, referred to in this section as "new renewable portfolio requirements." In fulfilling the requirements of this section, the commission shall:

1. Examine the number, type and location of the resources used to satisfy the new renewable portfolio requirements based on the compliance reports due July 1, 2009 pursuant to commission rule;

2. Analyze the costs and benefits of:

The analysis of costs and benefits must consider impacts on prices of renewable energy credits; retail electricity prices; regional resource diversity and power supply; the development of new renewable capacity resources within the State and the New England Power Pool control area and related economic impacts within the State; and the extent to which renewable resource generating facilities located outside of the New England Power Pool control area or the area administered by the independent system administrator for northern Maine are used to meet the new renewable portfolio requirements;

3. Review current law and commission rules regarding the new renewable portfolio requirements and assess the potential risks and costs associated with making no change to the existing new renewable portfolio requirements; and

4. Develop recommendations regarding changes to the law, rule or other efforts that could be undertaken to strengthen incentives for the development of new renewable resources within the State, to enhance the commission's ability to address any cost concerns associated with the new renewable portfolio requirements and to ensure delivery of power from renewable resources into the State or the New England Power Pool control area during periods of high prices or peak loads; and be it further

Sec. 2. Report; authority for legislation. Resolved: That, by January 15, 2010, the commission shall submit to the Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy a report of its findings and recommendations pursuant to section 1. After receipt and review of the report, the committee may submit legislation concerning the subject matter of the report to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature.