130th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 597 LR 1221(03)
An Act To Establish the Thermal Energy Investment Program
Fiscal Note for Bill as Engrossed with:
C "A" (S-168)
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
             
Fiscal Note
Current biennium revenue increase - Efficiency Maine Trust
Current biennium revenue decrease - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill directs the Efficiency Maine Trust (EMT) to establish the Thermal Energy Investment Program and creates the Thermal Energy Investment Fund (TEIF) within the trust.  The bill directs that alternative compliance payments made by competitive energy providers to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) be deposited into the newly created TEIF within the EMT.  The EMT may use the funds to provide incentives and low-interest or no-interest loans for new thermal energy or cogeneration projects.  The distribution of alternative compliance payments to the EMT will result in an Other Special Revenue Funds revenue decrease to the PUC.
Additional costs to the Finance Authority of Maine to consult with the EMT in the development of any program incentives and the distribution of money from the fund can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.