An Act To Protect Maine's Energy Sovereignty through the Designation of Energy Infrastructure Corridors and Energy Plan Development
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 2255
Committee Amendment CA_A-HA_A_H970 (House)

HOUSE AMENDMENT "ff., to COMMITIEE AMENDMENT "A" to S.P. 885, 
L.D. 2255, Bill, "An Act To Protect Maine's Energy Sovereignty through the Designation 
of Energy Infrastructure Corridors and Energy Plan Development" 
Amend the amendment in Part A in section 3 in § 122 in subsection 2 by striking out 
all of paragraph A (page 2, lines 29 to 32 in amendment) and inserting the following: 
~ A. The commission may designate an energy infrastructure corridor only by rule. 
Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules as defined in 
Title 5. chapter 375. subchapter 2-A. 
(1) The rulemaking to designate an energy infrastructure corridor must include a 
public hearing in which any member of the public may submit oral or written 
testimony or comments, which must be incorporated into the rule-making record 
in accordance with Title 5. section 8052, subsection 1. The commission shall 
provide an opportunity for examination of the petitioner at a rule-making hearing. 
The commission shall allow for written comments by any member of the public 
up to 7 days prior to the hearing. The commission shall allow a second round of 
written comments to be filed within 10 days of the hearing or within such longer 
time as the commission may direct. 
(2) In any rulemaking regarding the designation of an energy infrastructure 
corridor. the commission shall address all written comments. including those 
submitted pursuant to subsection 3, and state its rationale for adopting or 
rejecting any proposals or recommendations contained in those written 
comments. 
(3) 
A designation of an energy infrastructure corridor must be based on 
substantial evidence in the record of the rule-making hearing. ' 
Amend the amendment in Part A in section 3 in §122 in subsection 2 by striking out 
all of paragraph C (page 2, lines 37 to 40 in amendment) and inserting the following: 
~ C. 
The commission shall dismiss a petition for the designation of an energy 
infrastructure corridor filed under this subsection if, after preliminary review. the 
commission determines that the petition: 
HOUSE AMENDMENT 
~.\. 
HOUSE AMENDMENT "~,, to COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 885, L.D. 2255 
(1) Does not contain sufficient information to support the designation of an 
energy infrastructure corridor: or 
(2) 
Was filed by a person other than the Office of the Public Advocate, 
Executive Department, Governor's Office of Energy Independence and Security 
or an interested person as dermed by subsection 1, paragraph E.' 
Amend the amendment in Part A in section 3 in § 122 in subsection 2 in paragraph D 
in subparagraph (2) in the last 3 lines (page 3, lines 11 to 13 in amendment) by striking 
out the following: "does not imply that an application for any particular project meets 
environmental or land use laws and rules or will be approved." and inserting the 
following: 'has no evidentiary value in a subsequent consolidated environmental permit 
proceeding undertaken by the department pursuant to subsection 6.' 
Amend the amendment in Part A in section 3 in § 122 in subsection 3 by striking out 
all ofthe fIrst 2 lines (page 3, lines 29 and 30 in amendment) and inserting the following: 
'3. Consultation and notification required; comments. Prior to designating an 
energy infrastructure corridor under subsection 2, the commission shall, at a minimum, 
notifr, consult with and accept comments from:' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment requires that rules adopted to designate an energy infrastructure 
corridor must include a public hearing to allow members of the public to submit 
testimony or comments. It also requires the Public Utilities Commission to address all 
comments and state why the commission adopted or rejected any proposal contained in 
the comments. The amendment also requires the commission to dismiss a petition if the 
petition was filed by a person other than the Office of the Public Advocate, Executive 
Department, Governor's Office of Energy Independence and Security or an interested 
person as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 122. The amendment 
also requires the commission to consult, noti 
and accept comments from certain people 
prior to designating an energy infr 
·dor. 
SPONSORED BY: ----I:.-.,.Iif--~~------
(Representative BLISS) 
TOWN: South Portland 
FISCAL ,"on: REQURED 
(See al£ached) 
HOUSE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/09/08 
ft/ac:.. 
LD 2255 
LR34U(05) 
An Act To Protect Maine's Energy Sovereignty through the Designation of Energy Infrastructure 
Corridors and Energy Plan Development 
Fiscal Note for House Amendment ,,'"(I., to Committee Amendment "A" 
Sponsor: Rep. Bliss of South Portland 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Additional costs to the Public Utilities Commission can be absorbed utilizing existing budgeted resources. 
LR3411 (05) - Fiscal Note - Page I of I