Resolve, To Ensure the Success of Regional Climate Change Efforts
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1381
Committee Amendment CA_A_H274 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "fi" to H.P. 973, L.D. 1381, "Resolve, To Ensure 
the Success of Regional Climate Change Efforts" 
Amend the resolve by striking out all of section 1 and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. Office of Public Advocate study. Resolved: That the Office of the 
Public Advocate shall, in consultation with the Public Utilities Commission, other state 
agencies and interested members of the public, convene a study group to review the status 
of the regional greenhouse gas initiative authorized by the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 
38, section 579, referred to in this resolve as "the initiative"; to examine existing 
information and analyses regarding the impact of the initiative on electric rates for Maine 
electricity consumers; and to identify alternatives for reducing the cost of implementation 
of the initiative for Maine electricity consumers. The Public Advocate shall ensure that 
the study group meets sufficiently often to achieve these purposes. The Public Advocate 
shall, based on the work of the study group, prepare a report on identified impacts of the 
initiative on electricity costs and alternatives to reduce these costs and may include in the 
report proposed legislation designed to reduce identified costs and to ensure the 
successful implementation of the initiative. The report may include information provided 
to the Public Advocate from other sources regarding the effect of the initiative on Maine 
electricity consumers or the Maine economy. 
The report, including any proposed 
legislation, must be submitted to the Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy by 
January 1, 2008. The committee may submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of 
the 123rd Legislature relating to the subject matter of this resolve.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment makes several changes to the study of the regional greenhouse gas 
initiative contained in the resolve. The bill directs the Office of the Public Advocate to 
undertake a study of the economic impacts of the regional greenhouse gas initiative on 
Maine electricity consumers and requires that the study determine a range of cost impacts 
for each ofthe first 10 years of the initiative. The amendment, instead, directs the Office 
of the Public Advocate to convene a study group to examine issues related to the impact 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
C 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to H.P. 973, L.D. 1381 
of the regional greenhouse gas initiative on electricity prices for Maine consumers and to 
identify potential strategies to reduce the costs. The amendment also eliminates the 
requirement that the study determine the effect of the initiative on certain manufacturing 
facilities and identify recipients of revenues resulting from the initiative. The amendment 
retains the provisions in the resolve requiring the Office of the Public Advocate to submit 
a report by January 1, 2008 and authorizing the Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and 
Energy to submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
\ 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 05115/07 frac 
LD 1381 
LR 2361(02) 
Resolve, To Ensure the Success of Regional Climate Change Efforts 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment .. A 
.. 
Committee: Utilities and Energy 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds 
The additional cost to the Public Advocate within the Executive Department and the Public Utilities Commission can 
be absorbed utilizing existing budgeted resources. 
LR2361(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1