130th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1511		LR 1880(02)
	An Act To Finance Distribution Investments at the Lowest Cost to Customers and To Encourage Utility Performance
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
			FY 2021-22	FY 2022-23	Projections  FY 2023-24	Projections  FY 2024-25
Appropriations/Allocations
	Other Special Revenue Funds		$0	$662,927	$481,575	$504,304
Revenue
	Other Special Revenue Funds		$0	$662,927	$481,575	$504,304
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill directs the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to allow a tax-exempt 3rd-party entity other than a transmission and distribution utility to finance and own electric distribution projects, provided that the rate design for the project meets certain criteria. The bill defines investor-owned utilities as reporting entities and requires them to follow the same financial reporting and procurement procedures as quasi-independent state entities. Beginning in fiscal year 2022-23, the bill provides ongoing allocations to the PUC of $462,927 for one Staff Attorney position, two Utility Analyst positions and associated costs and $200,000 for contracted services. The PUC is funded by an assessment set to produce sufficient revenue for the expenditures allocated by the Legislature for operating the PUC. The increased allocations in this bill require a corresponding increase in revenue from the assessment on transmission and distribution utilities.