An Act To Promote Energy Independence and Renewable Energy Production

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  the continued viability of certain renewable power sources is in immediate jeopardy; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §3212, sub-§2, ¶E  is enacted to read:

Sec. 2. Public Utilities Commission terms and conditions. The Public Utilities Commission, in establishing reasonable terms and conditions for the inclusion of renewable resources located in this State in standard-offer service pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 3212, subsection 2, paragraph E, shall ensure that charges to customers for standard-offer service are not increased as a result of the inclusion of those renewable resources.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill requires the Public Utilities Commission to include in the standard-offer service provided to customers not located within the New England independent system operator control area all renewable resources, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 3210, located in this State that offer electricity to the commission for inclusion in the standard-offer service and that meet reasonable terms and conditions established by the commission by rule or order. The bill also requires that the commission, in establishing the terms and conditions, ensure that charges to customers for standard-offer service are not increased as a result of the inclusion of those renewable resources.