An Act To Authorize the Development of Thorium Energy
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1116
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
Sponsors: BRAKEY, O'CONNOR, MASON, WOODSOME, DUNPHY, GROHMAN, HIGGINS, WADSWORTH
Amends: 35-A MRSA §3210

Legislative Document 
No. 1116 
S.P. 388 
In Senate, March 26, 2015 
An Act To Authorize the Development of Thorium Energy 
Reference to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology suggested and ordered 
printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator BRAKEY of Androscoggin. 
Cosponsored by Representative O'CONNOR of Berwick and 
Senators: MASON of Androscoggin, WOODSOME of York, Representatives: DUNPHY of 
Embden, GROHMAN of Biddeford, HIGGINS of Dover-Foxcroft, WADSWORTH of Hiram. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  35-A MRSA §3210, sub-§2, ¶B-3, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 542, §3, is 
amended to read: 
B-3.  "Renewable capacity resource" means a source of electrical generation: 
(1)  Whose total power production capacity does not exceed 100 megawatts and 
relies on one or more of the following: 
(a)  Fuel cells; 
(b)  Tidal power; 
(c)  Solar arrays and installations; 
(d)  Geothermal installations; 
(e)  Hydroelectric generators that meet all state and federal fish passage 
requirements applicable to the generator; or  
(f)  Biomass generators that are fueled by wood or wood waste, landfill gas 
or anaerobic digestion of agricultural products, by-products or wastes; or 
(2)  That relies on wind power installations.; or 
(3)  That is a liquid fluoride thorium reactor, as defined in section 4201. 
Sec. 2.  35-A MRSA §3210, sub-§2, ¶C, as amended by PL 2009, c. 542, §5, is 
further amended to read: 
C.  "Renewable resource" means a source of electrical generation: 
(1)  That qualifies as a small power production facility under the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission rules, 18 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 292, Subpart 
B, as in effect on January 1, 1997; or 
(2)  Whose total power production capacity does not exceed 100 megawatts and 
that relies on one or more of the following: 
(a)  Fuel cells; 
(b)  Tidal power; 
(c)  Solar arrays and installations; 
(d)  Wind power installations; 
(e)  Geothermal installations; 
(f)  Hydroelectric generators; 
(g)  Biomass generators that are fueled by wood or wood waste, landfill gas 
or anaerobic digestion of agricultural products, by-products or wastes; or 
(h)  Generators fueled by municipal solid waste in conjunction with 
recycling.; or 
(3)  A liquid fluoride thorium reactor, as defined in section 4201. 
Sec. 3.  35-A MRSA c. 42 is enacted to read: 
CHAPTER 42 
THORIUM ENERGY 
§4201.  Definitions 
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms 
have the following meanings. 
1.  Liquid fluoride thorium reactor.   "Liquid fluoride thorium reactor" means a 
thermal breeder reactor that uses thorium and fluoride-based liquid salt as fuel. 
2.  Thorium refinery.  "Thorium refinery" means a facility that removes thorium 
from other elements. 
§4202.  Permitting 
1.  Thorium refinery permit.  A person may operate a thorium refinery in this State 
if the person obtains a permit from the commission under this subsection and complies 
with all other applicable state and local siting or regulatory requirements.  The 
commission shall issue a permit to operate a thorium refinery in this State if the 
commission finds that the thorium produced by the refinery will be used or consumed 
within the State. 
2.  Liquid fluoride thorium reactor.  A person may operate a liquid fluoride 
thorium reactor in this State if the person obtains a permit from the commission under 
this subsection and complies with all other applicable state and local siting or regulatory 
requirements.  The commission shall issue a permit to operate a liquid fluoride thorium 
reactor in this State if the commission finds that the thorium used by the facility will be 
produced within the State. 
SUMMARY 
This bill authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to issue permits for the operation 
of a thorium refinery or a liquid fluoride thorium reactor in this State and provides that 
energy produced by a liquid thorium reactor qualifies as a renewable resource and as a 
renewable capacity resource under the renewable portfolio requirements.