Resolve, Establishing a Commission To Develop Methods for the State To Promote the Generation of Electrical Power in an Environmentally Sound Manner and Independent of Foreign Fuel Imports
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 0393
Committee: Utilities and Energy
Sponsors: JACOBSEN, COURTNEY, AUSTIN, FLETCHER

Legislative Document 
No. 393 
H.P.309 
House of Representatives, January 29,2007 
Resolve, Establishing a Commission To Develop Methods for the 
State To Promote the Generation of Electrical Power in an 
Environmentally Sound Manner and Independent of Foreign Fuel 
Imports 
Reference to the Committee on Utilities and Energy suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative JACOBSEN of Waterboro . 
Cosponsored by Senator COURTNEY of York and 
7!J~1'J?·m~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: AUSTIN of Gray, FLETCHER of Winslow, McLEOD of Lee. 
Printed ()n recycled paper 
Sec. 1. Commission to Develop Methods for the State to Promote the 
Generation of Electrical Power in an Environmentally Sound Manner and 
Independent of Foreign Fuel Imports established. 
Resolved: 
That the 
Commission to Develop Methods for the State to Promote the Generation of Electrical 
Power in an Environmentally Sound Manner and Independent of Foreign Fuel Imports, 
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. Three members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, each of 
whom serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy; 
2. Three members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House, each of whom serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy; 
3. Two members of the public, appointed by the President of the Senate, each of 
whom has expertise in electrical generation; and 
4. One member of the public, appointed by the Speaker of the House, who has 
expertise in electrical generation; and be it further 
Sec. 3. 
Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate 
chair of the commission and the first-named House of Representatives member is the 
House chair of the commission; and be it further 
Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of the 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 15 days after appointment 
of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission, 
which must be no later than October 1,2007; and be it further 
Sec. 5. 
Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall study methods for the 
State to promote the generation of electrical power in a manner that is independent of 
foreign fuel imports and has a minimal negative impact on the environment. 
The 
commission shall meet at least 2 times and may hold a public hearing and information 
sessions to receive public testimony and recommendations from residents of the State and 
qualified experts when appropriate; and be it further 
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the commission; and be it further 
Sec. 7. 
Compensation. 
Resolved: 
That the legislative members of the 
commission are entitled to receive the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine 
Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, and reimbursement for travel and other necessary 
expenses related to their attendance at authorized meetings of the commission. Public 
members not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities that they 
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represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses and, upon a 
demonstration of financial hardship, a per diem equal to the legislative per diem for their 
attendance at authorized meetings of the comm ission; and be it further 
Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That, no later than January 4, 2008, 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 123rd Legislature at the time cf 
submission of its report; and be it further 
Sec. 9. 
Extension. 
Resolved: 
That, if the commiSSIon reqUIres a limited 
extension of time to complete its study and make its report, it may apply to tic. 
Legislative Council, which may grant an extension; and be it further 
Sec. 10. Commission budget. Resolved: That the chairs of the commission, 
with assistance from the commission staff, shall administer the comm'ission's budget. 
Within 10 days after its first meeting, the commission shall present a work plan aid 
proposed budget to the Legislative Council for its approval. The commission may nClt 
incur expenses that would result in the commission's exceeding its appraved bud~(~ , 
Upon request from the commission, the Executive Director of the Legislative Coun..:,; 
shall promptly provide the commission chairs and staff with a status report on th; 
commission budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Commission to Develop Methods for the State to 
Promote the Generation of Electrical Power in an Environmentally Sound Manner 'm, 
Independent of Foreign Fuel Imports, which consists of 9 members, 6 Legislators ad .J 
members with expertise in the generation of electricity. 
The resolve requires rh<; 
commission to meet at least twice and report its findings, recommendations and aWl 
implementing legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy and the 
Legislative Council no later than January 4, 2008. 
The commission is authorized to 
introduce legislation related to its report to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd 
Legislature,