Resolve, To Study Options for a State Demand Response Program
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0357
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
Sponsors: DUNPHY, HOBBINS, WHITTEMORE, BEAVERS, CHIPMAN, FREDETTE, GROHMAN, HIGGINS, O'CONNOR, RYKERSON, WOODSOME

Legislative Document 
No. 357 
H.P. 244 
House of Representatives, February 12, 2015 
Resolve, To Study Options for a State Demand Response Program 
Reference to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology suggested and ordered 
printed. 
ROBERT B. HUNT 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative DUNPHY of Embden. 
Cosponsored by Representative HOBBINS of Saco, Senator WHITTEMORE of Somerset and 
Representatives: BEAVERS of South Berwick, CHIPMAN of Portland, FREDETTE of 
Newport, GROHMAN of Biddeford, HIGGINS of Dover-Foxcroft, O'CONNOR of Berwick, 
RYKERSON of Kittery, Senator: WOODSOME of York. 
Preamble. Whereas, there is significant value to individual consumers of 
electricity who participate in demand response programs that provide incentives to induce 
lower electricity use at times of high wholesale market prices or when system reliability 
is jeopardized and to consumers who benefit from reduced peak electricity pricing and 
increased electrical grid stability; and 
Whereas, such consumer and grid benefits are best obtained through formal demand 
response programs designed to encourage consumer participation; and 
Whereas, the State's consumers and economy are being harmed by increased energy 
costs due to natural gas pipeline constraints and this harm may be reduced through 
participation in a state demand response program; and 
Whereas, the United States Supreme Court is currently considering whether demand 
response programs are within the federal jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission or are reserved to state jurisdiction and the resulting uncertainty has reduced 
participation in existing demand response programs; and 
Whereas, it is important to the State's electrical consumers and economy that the 
State be prepared to implement a demand response program, if necessary, for either 
Maine alone or in conjunction with the other New England states; now, therefore, be it 
Sec. 1.  Study of options for a state demand response program.  Resolved:  
That the Efficiency Maine Trust shall, using existing resources, study options for a state 
demand response program that will produce electricity consumer and electrical grid 
benefits.  In conducting its study, the trust shall consult with the Governor's Energy 
Office, the Public Utilities Commission and ISO-New England and shall survey other 
states in New England regarding their interest in demand response programs at the state 
or regional level.  The trust shall solicit the involvement of energy consumers in the State 
and determine consumer preferences for demand response program elements and rules.  
The trust shall issue a draft report and accept comments from the public and other 
interested parties.  The trust shall submit a report of its study and conclusions, including 
recommended legislation, by February 1, 2016 to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Energy, Utilities and Technology. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Efficiency Maine Trust to conduct a study of options for a 
state demand response program that will produce electricity consumer and electric grid 
benefits and to report to the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and 
Technology by February 1, 2016.