Resolve, To Establish the Commission on Comprehensive Energy Planning
Maine Legislature, Session 121, LD 1373
Committee: Utilities and Energy
Sponsors: ADAMS, BLISS, DUPLESSIE, EDER, HALL

Legislative Document 
No. 1373 
H.P.1008 
House of Representati ves, March 18, 2003 
Resolve, To Establish the Commission on Comprehensive Energy 
Planning 
Reference to the Committee on Utilities and Energy suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative ADAMS of Portland. 
77/~/h.~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Cosponsored by Representatives: BLISS of South Portland, DUPLESSIE of Westbrook, EDER 
of Portland, Senator: HALL of Lincoln. 
Printed on recycled paper 
Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: 
That the Commission 
on Comprehensive Energy Planning, referred to in this resolve as 
"the commission," is established: and be it further 
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: 
That the commission 
consists of members appointed as follows: 
1. 
Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of 
the Senate: 
2. 
Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed 
by the Speaker of the House: and 
3. 
The 
Director of 
the State Planning Office, 
or 
the 
director's 
designee: 
the 
chair 
of 
the 
Public 
Utilities 
Commission, or the chair's designee: the Public Advocate, or the 
Public Advocate's designee: the Commissioner of Transportation, 
or the commissioner's designee: the Commissioner of Conservation, 
or 
the 
commissioner's 
designee: 
and 
the 
Commissioner 
of 
Environmental Protection, or the commissioner's designee. 
At least one of the 4 legislative members must be a member 
of the political party holding the 2nd largest number of seats in 
the Legislature: and be it further 
Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: 
That the first-named Senate member 
is the Senate chair and the first-named House of Representatives 
member is the House chair; and be it further 
Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of commission. Resolved: 
That 
all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the 
effective date of this resolve. 
The appointing authorities shall 
notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all 
appointments 
have 
been 
completed. 
Within 
days 
after 
appointment of all members, the chair shall call and convene the 
first meeting of the commission; and be it further 
Sec. s. Duties. Resolved: 
That the commission, with assistance 
from the Energy Resources Council, shall develop a comprehensive 
energy plan for the State. 
The plan must include: 
1. 
An assessment of the future demand for energy in the 
State under a variety of scenarios regarding energy prices and 
anticipated conservation and cogeneration measures; 
2. 
A study of the various options available to the State to 
meet growing needs for energy and energy transmission, including, 
but not limited to, least-cost energy planning, 
conservation, 
energy 
efficiency, 
cogeneration, 
small 
power 
production, 
Page l-LR1583(1) 
purchases 
from Canada and utility-sponsored generation. 
This 
study should examine predicted cost, reliability, environmental 
impact within the State and environmental costs, otherwise known 
as externalities, for each option; 
3. 
An 
analysis of the State's energy situation in the 
context of regional power arrangements and agreements; 
4. 
Recommendations to the Governor and to the Legislature 
based 
on 
the 
findings 
of 
the 
commission, 
including 
a 
recommendation for instituting a process whereby the State may 
update and evaluate in an ongoing manner its comprehensive energy 
planning; 
5. 
An 
analysis 
of 
deregulation 
of 
the 
State's 
large 
utilities and the closing of Maine Yankee atomic energy plant; 
6. 
An analysis of the divestiture by the State's utilities 
and the division and sale of the generating and delivery systems 
formerly held as one unit by a utility; 
7. 
An 
analysis 
of 
the 
growth 
and 
spread 
of 
various 
nontraditional power generating sources; and 
8. 
An analysis of the introduction of expanded traditional 
energy sources, such as the natural gas lines from the Maritimes; 
and be it further 
Sec. 6. Process. Resolved: 
That, in conducting the study, the 
commission may: 
1. 
Hold several public hearings, at least 3 
be 
held 
outside 
the 
State 
House 
complex 
geographically distributed throughout the State; 
of which must 
in 
locations 
2. 
Create 
subcommittees 
or 
commission considers appropriate; 
3. 
Request 
organization 
or 
appropriate; and 
assistance 
from 
other 
enti ty 
as 
advisory 
groups 
as 
the 
any 
the 
individual, 
agency, 
commission 
considers 
4. 
Adopt, by majority vote of all members, procedures for 
conducting the commission's business; and be it further 
Sec. 7. Staff assistance. Resolved: 
That the Energy Resources 
Council and the Executive Department shall staff the commission. 
The commission may request additional staff assistance from state 
agencies as the commission considers appropriate. 
The commission 
shall request assistance with the preparation of any recommended 
legislation from the Legislative Council; and be it further 
Sec. 8. Compensation. Resolved: 
That the legislative members 
of the commission are entitled to reimbursement for travel and 
other necessary expenses related to their attendance at meetings 
of the commission. 
Other members of the commission who are not 
otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities that 
they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary 
expenses upon a demonstration of financial hardship for their 
attendance at authorized meetings of the commission; and be it 
further 
Sec. 9. Report. Resolved: 
That no later than January 31, 
2004, the commission shall submit a report that includes its 
findings 
and recommendations, 
including suggested legislation, 
for presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and 
Energy and the Legislative Council. 
The commission is authorized 
to introduce legislation related to its report to the Second 
Regular 
Session 
of 
the 
121st 
Legislature 
at 
the 
time 
of 
submission of its report; and be it further 
Sec. 10. Extension. Resolved: 
That, if the commission requires 
a limited extension of time to complete its study and make its 
report, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant 
an extension; and be it further 
Sec. 11. Commission budget. Resolved: 
That the chairs of the 
commission, 
with assistance from 
the 
commission staff, shall 
administer the commission's budget. 
Within 10 days after its 
first meeting, 
the commission shall present a 
work plan and 
proposed budget to the Legislative Council for its approval. 
The 
commission may 
not incur expenses that would result in the 
commission's exceeding its approved budget. 
Upon request from the commission, the Executive Director of 
the Legislative Councilor the executive director's designee 
shall promptly provide the commission chairs and staff with a 
status report on the study budget, expenditures incurred and paid 
and available funds. 
SUMMARY 
This 
resolve establishes the Commission on Comprehensive 
Energy Planning.