An Act To Secure the Safety of Electrical Power Transmission Lines
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 0131
Committee Amendment CA_A_H121 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 106, L.D. 131, Bill, "An Act To Secure 
the Safety of Electrical Power Transmission Lines" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, Directing the Public Utilities Commission To Examine Measures To 
Mitigate the Effects of Geomagnetic Disturbances and Electromagnetic Pulse on the 
State's Transmission System' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and before the summary and 
inserting the following: 
'Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation has identified 2013 
as a peak year of solar activity that could result in a geomagnetic disturbance; and 
Whereas, the impact of a significant geomagnetic disturbance or electromagnetic 
pulse on the reliability of Maine's electric grid is unknown; and 
Whereas, the Public Utilities Commission may be able to identify measures to 
protect Maine's electric grid through a focused examination; 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. Examination of vulnerabilities and mitigation. Resolved: That the 
Public Utilities Commission shall examine the vulnerabilities of the State's transmission 
infrastructure to the potential negative impacts of a geomagnetic disturbance or 
electromagnetic pulse capable of disabling, disrupting or destroying a transmission and 
distribution system and identify potential mitigation measures. In its examination, the 
commission shall: 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
~" "~' 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 106, L.D. 131 
1. Identify the most vulnerable components of the State's transmission system; 
2. 
Identify potential mitigation measures to decrease the negative impacts of a 
geomagnetic disturbance or electromagnetic pulse; 
3. Estimate the costs of potential mitigation measures and develop options for low-
cost, mid-cost and high-cost measures; 
4. Examine the positive and negative effects of adopting a policy to incorporate 
mitigation measures into the future construction of transmission lines and the positive and 
negative effects of retrofitting existing transmission lines; 
5. Examine any potential effects of the State adopting a policy under subsection 4 on 
the regional transmission system; 
6. Develop a time frame for the adoption of mitigation measures; and 
7. Develop recommendations regarding the allocation of costs to mitigate the effects 
of geomagnetic disturbances or electromagnetic pulse on the State's transmission system 
and identify which costs, if any, should be the responsibility of shareholders or 
ratepayers; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Monitor federal efforts regarding mitigation measures. Resolved: 
That the Public Utilities Commission shall actively monitor the efforts by the Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, 
ISO New England and other regional and federal organizations to develop reliability 
standards related to geomagnetic disturbances and electromagnetic pulse; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That the Public Utilities Commission shall report the 
results of its examination required pursuant to section 1 and the progress of regional and 
national efforts to develop reliability standards under section 2 to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology by January 20,2014. The Joint Standing 
Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology may submit a bill to the Second Regular 
Session of the 126th Legislature based on the report. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill with a resolve directing the Public Utilities 
Commission to conduct an examination of the vulnerabilities of the State's transmission 
infrastructure to the potential negative impacts of a geomagnetic disturbance or 
electromagnetic pulse capable of disabling, disrupting or destroying a transmission and 
distribution system and identify potential mitigation measures. The commission is also 
required to monitor efforts by regional and federal organizations to address this issue and 
report to the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology by January 
20, 2014. The committee may submit a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 126th 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "Pr" to H.P. 106, L.D. 131 
Legislature based on the report. The amendment adds an emergency preamble and clause 
to the bill. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/24113 Mac. 
LD 131 
LR 11(02) 
An Act To Secure the Safety of Electrical Power Transmission Lines 
1\ 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment A, 01-1 (;10 
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology 
Fisc:::;l Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Current biennium cost i~lcrease - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is direckd to: (a) examine the vulnerabilities of Maine's transmission 
infrastructure to potential negative impacts of geo;.nagnetic disturbances or electromagnetic pulses and identify 
potential mitigation measures; (b) monitor effortt. hy the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and others to 
develop reliability standards related to geomagnetic disturbances and electromagnetic pulses; and (c) report back its 
findings to the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology by January 20, 2014. The PUC has 
adequate available resources for the expenses related to the activities required. 
LROOII(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1