An Act To Authorize the Development of Thorium Energy
Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §3210, sub-§2, ¶B-3, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 542, §3, is amended to read:
(1) Whose total power production capacity does not exceed 100 megawatts and relies on one or more of the following:
(a) Fuel cells;
(b) Tidal power;
(c) Solar arrays and installations;
(d) Geothermal installations;
(e) Hydroelectric generators that meet all state and federal fish passage requirements applicable to the generator; or
(f) Biomass generators that are fueled by wood or wood waste, landfill gas or anaerobic digestion of agricultural products, by-products or wastes; or
(2) That relies on wind power installations . ; or
(3) That is a liquid fluoride thorium reactor, as defined in section 4201.
Sec. 2. 35-A MRSA §3210, sub-§2, ¶C, as amended by PL 2009, c. 542, §5, is further amended to read:
(1) That qualifies as a small power production facility under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rules, 18 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 292, Subpart B, as in effect on January 1, 1997; or
(2) Whose total power production capacity does not exceed 100 megawatts and that relies on one or more of the following:
(a) Fuel cells;
(b) Tidal power;
(c) Solar arrays and installations;
(d) Wind power installations;
(e) Geothermal installations;
(f) Hydroelectric generators;
(g) Biomass generators that are fueled by wood or wood waste, landfill gas or anaerobic digestion of agricultural products, by-products or wastes; or
(h) Generators fueled by municipal solid waste in conjunction with recycling . ; or
(3) A liquid fluoride thorium reactor, as defined in section 4201.
Sec. 3. 35-A MRSA c. 42 is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 42
THORIUM ENERGY
§ 4201. Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
§ 4202. Permitting
summary
This bill authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to issue permits for the operation of a thorium refinery or a liquid fluoride thorium reactor in this State and provides that energy produced by a liquid thorium reactor qualifies as a renewable resource and as a renewable capacity resource under the renewable portfolio requirements.