An Act To Amend the Maine Wind Energy Act
Maine Legislature, Session 122, LD 1379
Committee Amendment CA_A_S283 (Senate)
Committee: Utilities and Energy, replaces the bill
Amends: 35-A MRSA §3404

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A. to S.P. 477, L.D. 1379, Bill, 
Act To Amend the Maine Wind Energy Act" 
"An 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting 
clause and before the summary and inserting in its place the 
following: 
· Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §3404 is enacted to read: 
§3404. 
Determination of public policy 
It is 
the 
policy 
of 
the 
State 
that 
its 
political 
subdivisions, agencies and public officials take every reasonable 
action 
to 
encourage 
the 
attraction 
of 
appropriately 
sited 
wind-energy-related 
development 
consistent 
with 
high 
environmental standards; the permitting and financing of wind 
energy 
projects; 
and 
the 
siting, 
permitting, 
financing 
and 
construction of wind energy research and manufacturing facilities 
where appropriate. 
Sec. 2. Community wind; Energy Resources Council examination. 
The Energy Resources Council shall undertake an examination of 
the 
type 
of electricity generation 
commonly 
referred to 
as 
"community wind." 
The council shall: 
1. 
Develop a definition of 
"community wind"; 
2. 
Survey and gather information from appropriate agencies 
and experts with respect to community wind, including, but not 
limited to, its feasibility, impediments to its development and 
the 
need 
for 
and 
options 
for 
providing 
incentives 
for 
its 
development; 
Page l-LR1948(2) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
.. ,\~. 
\\,. "" 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ,~, to S.P. 477, L.D. 1379 
3. 
Determine what measures, if any, are required to address 
any impediments to the attraction and development of community 
wind projects in the State; 
4. 
Develop recommendations for any appropriate changes to 
laws 
or 
rules 
or 
for 
the 
establishment 
of 
any 
financial 
incentives necessary to attract and develop appropriately sited 
community wind projects in the State that are consistent with 
high environmental standards: and 
5. 
Provide a report of its findings and recommendations to 
the Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy no later 
than January 13, 2006. 
The Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy may 
report out legislation on the subject of community wind to the 
SUMMARY 
This amendment, which is the majority report of the Joint 
Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy, replaces the bill. 
This amendment establishes as the policy of the State that its 
political subdivisions, agencies and public officials take every 
reasonable action to encourage the attraction of appropriately 
sited 
wind-energy-related 
development 
consistent 
with 
high 
environmental standards: 
the permitting and financing of wind 
energy projects: 
and 
the 
siting, 
permitting, 
financing 
and 
construction of wind energy research and manufacturing facilities 
where appropriate. 
This amendment also directs the Energy Resources Council to 
study and report on the type of electricity generation referred 
to as "community wind." 
The council is directed to provide a 
report of its findings and recommendations by January 13, 2006. 
The 
Joint 
Standing 
Committee 
on 
Utilities 
and 
Energy 
is 
authorized to report out legislation regarding community wind to 
the Second Regular Session of the l22nd Legislature. 
FISCAL NOTE REQIDRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 05/24/05 ;t;?ac:.. 
LD 1379 
LR 1948(02) 
An Act To Amend the Maine Wind Energy Act 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "A, 
Committee: Utilities and Energy 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Majority Report 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Minor cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds 
The additional costs associated with this legislation can be absorbed by the Energy Resources Council, the 
Department of Environmental Protection and the Public Utilities Commission utilizing existing budgeted resources. 
LR1948(2) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1