Resolve, Regarding ISO New England
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 2254
Committee: Utilities and Energy
Sponsors: BARTLETT, BLISS, HOBBINS, ADAMS, BERRY, BLANCHARD, FITTS, HINCK, PINGREE, RINES

Legislative Document 
No. 2254 
S.P.884 
March 11, 2008 
Resolve, Regarding ISO New England 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Utilities and Energy suggested and ordered printed. 
JOY J. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator BARTLETT of Cumberland. (GOVERNOR'S BILL) 
Cosponsored by Representative BLISS of South Portland and Senator: HOBBINS of York, 
Representatives: ADAMS of Portland, BERRY of Bowdoinham, BLANCHARD of Old Town, 
FITTS of Pittsfield, HINCK of Portland, PINGREE of North Haven, RINES of Wiscasset. 
Printed on recycled paper 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, reliable and lower-cost electric service is essential to the public welfare of 
this State; and 
Whereas, the development of Maine's indigenous renewable energy resources, 
including wind energy, is vital to this State's economy and is an essential tool to combat 
climate change; and 
Whereas, 2 of Maine's transmission and distribution utilities are members of the 
Independent System Operator New England regional transmission organization; and 
Whereas, the Public Utilities Commission has reported to the Legislature that ISO 
New England's rules, policies, practices and methods of allocating costs among the New 
England states have been prejudicial to the interests of Maine consumers and inhibit the 
full development potential of Maine's indigenous renewable power industry; and 
Whereas, the Public Utilities Commission has identified alternatives to ISO New 
England that may have the potential to lower costs for Maine consumers and better 
encourage the development of Maine's indigenous renewable power industry; and 
Whereas, the State desires to lower energy costs for Maine consumers through 
altering or concluding its relationship with the ISO New England regional transmission 
organization, while minimizing uncertainties for indigenous renewable energy developers 
in this State; and 
Whereas, pursuant to paragraph 43 of the stipulation approved by the Public 
Utilities Commission in PUC Docket No. 2007-355, Central Maine Power Company has 
agreed to commence a proceeding before the Public Utilities Commission to determine 
whether it will remain a member of the ISO New England regional transmission 
organization; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it 
Sec. 1. Public Utilities Commission order regarding alternative structure. 
Resolved: That should the Public Utilities Commission determine, in a proceeding 
pursuant to paragraph 43 of the stipulation approved by the Public Utilities Commission 
in PUC Docket No. 2007-355, that it is in the interests of Maine consumers and 
consistent with state policy to expand wind energy development in Maine and for Maine's 
transmission and distribution utilities to provide timely notice of nonrenewal of any 
membership in Independent System Operator New England, the Public Utilities 
Commission then shall subsequently order Maine's 3 investor-owned transmission and 
distribution utilities to file with the commission a plan to form an alternative structure to 
hold, manage, dispatch and expand the transmission assets of the investor-owned 
transmission and distribution utilities. The plan must also encourage development of 
indigenous renewable power resources, including wind energy, in the State. The plan 
must include a request for a certificate of public convenience and necessity by the 
investor-owned utilities to directly interconnect the transmission system of Maine Public 
Service Company with the transmission system of Bangor Hydro-Electric Company or 
Central Maine Power Company and otherwise expand the transmission system in Maine 
to maintain reliability and to facilitate the economic interconnection of indigenous 
renewable power resources. 
If requests for certificates of public convenience and 
necessity have already been submitted to the commission for approval prior to the 
submission of the plan, the plan must address the incorporation of the proposed 
interconnection and reliability projects, without prejudicing the commission's 
determination of whether such projects are in the public interest. The plan must also 
include all relevant commercial agreements necessary to implement the plan and petitions 
for all relevant regulatory approvals. The commission shall undertake a review of the 
plan and shall allow for public comment on the plan. The plan must enable the investor-
owned utilities, subject to any required regulatory approvals, to provide timely notice of a 
decision to not renew membership in, and to effect a withdrawal from, ISO New England 
no later than the scheduled termination of the regional transmission organization's 
transmission owners agreement pursuant to its terms. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited III the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve provides that if the Public Utilities Commission finds under a specific 
proceeding that nonrenewal of any membership in ISO New England is in the interests of 
Maine consumers, then the Public Utilities Commission shall order Maine's 3 investor-
owned transmission and distribution utilities to file a plan to form an alternative structure, 
to encourage development of indigenous renewable power resources, to directly 
interconnect and expand transmission systems and to execute relevant commercial 
agreements and necessary petitions.