Resolve, To Require the Approval by the Public Utilities Commission of a Proposal for a Long-term Contract for Deep-water Offshore Wind Energy

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

Whereas,  in 2010, the 124th Legislature enacted An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Governor's Ocean Energy Task Force, Public Law 2009, chapter 615; and

Whereas,  Public Law 2009, chapter 615, Part A, section 6 directed the Public Utilities Commission, in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 3210-C, to conduct a competitive solicitation for proposals for long-term contracts to supply installed capacity and associated renewable energy and renewable energy credits from one or more deep-water offshore wind energy pilot projects or tidal energy demonstration projects; and

Whereas,  in July 2013, the Public Utilities Commission issued a supplemental request for proposals for long-term contracts for deep-water offshore wind energy pilot projects; and

Whereas,  in August 2013, Maine Aqua Ventus I, GP, LLC, a partnership led by the University of Maine System, submitted a proposal to the Public Utilities Commission in response to the request for proposals; and

Whereas,  the Public Utilities Commission evaluated the Maine Aqua Ventus proposal and, by orders issued in February 2014, selected Maine Aqua Ventus as the seller to transfer transmission and distribution capacity and associated energy produced by its deep-water offshore wind energy pilot project, subject to certain terms and conditions; and

Whereas,  consistent with the terms and conditions set forth by the Public Utilities Commission in its February 2014 orders, Maine Aqua Ventus and Central Maine Power Company negotiated and drafted a long-term contract for capacity and associated energy following a series of meetings involving Maine Aqua Ventus, Central Maine Power Company and commission staff and legal counsel and filed the final draft with the Public Utilities Commission in December 2017; and

Whereas,  in January 2018, the Public Utilities Commission delayed the contract's approval and solicited public comment on whether to reopen the request for proposals; and

Whereas,  in June 2018, the Public Utilities Commission voted to not address the long-term contract between Maine Aqua Ventus and Central Maine Power Company filed with the commission in December 2017; and

Whereas,  the Legislature finds that it is in the best interest of the State to approve the December 2017 long-term contract between Maine Aqua Ventus and Central Maine Power Company so that the deep-water offshore wind energy pilot project may move forward and generate the benefits to the State and its people previously sought by the Legislature; 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, be it

Sec. 1. Public Utilities Commission to approve long-term contract between Maine Aqua Ventus and Central Maine Power Company. Resolved: That, within 30 days of the effective date of this resolve, the Public Utilities Commission shall approve the long-term contract for capacity and associated energy between Maine Aqua Ventus I, GP, LLC and Central Maine Power Company filed with the commission in December 2017.

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

summary

This resolve directs the Public Utilities Commission to approve the long-term contract for capacity and associated energy between Maine Aqua Ventus I, GP, LLC and Central Maine Power Company submitted to the commission in December 2017.