130th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 2018		LR 2654(06)
	An Act To Implement Recommendations Regarding the Incorporation of Equity Considerations in Regulatory Decision Making
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Engrossed with: C "A" (H-999) S "A" (S-642) to C "A" (H-999)
	Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
Fiscal Note
Current biennium cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill changes provisions applicable to intervenors in Public Utilities Commission (PUC) proceedings to broaden eligibility for intervenor funding and to require certain utilities to compensate intervenors. The compensation provided by a utility may be recovered in rates subject to the ratemaking process approval by the PUC. The bill also requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to adopt procedures to ensure fair and equitable access to the DEP decision-making process. No new funding is provided to the DEP for the community engagement activities in the bill. The impact of these new unfunded costs on other programs in the DEP cannot be determined at this time.