An Act To Reduce Electric Rates for Maine Businesses
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1398
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
Sponsors: MASON, DUNPHY, CUSHING, THIBODEAU, WOODSOME
Amends: 35-A MRSA §10109

Legislative Document 
No. 1398 
S.P. 519 
In Senate, May 12, 2015 
An Act To Reduce Electric Rates for Maine Businesses 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology suggested and ordered 
printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator MASON of Androscoggin.  (GOVERNOR'S BILL) 
Cosponsored by Representative DUNPHY of Embden and 
Senators: CUSHING of Penobscot, President THIBODEAU of Waldo, WOODSOME of York. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, current law concerning the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Trust 
Fund provides for the trust funds to be allocated at a certain percentage up through this 
fiscal year; and 
Whereas, in order to continue allocation for the next series of fiscal years and to 
modify the percentage to a more business-friendly rate, it is necessary to amend this 
section of law before the next fiscal year, which begins in July; 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 enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  35-A MRSA §10109, sub-§4, ¶A, as amended by PL 2013, c. 369, Pt. A, 
§15, is further amended to read: 
A.  During fiscal years 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-
19, not less than 50% 10% of the trust funds received during those years must be 
allocated for measures, investments and, loans, arrangements and technical assistance 
that reduce electricity consumption or reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower 
energy costs at commercial or industrial facilities, and 35% of the funds received by 
the trust fund during those years must be used for investment in measures that lower 
residential heating energy demand and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  The 
measures that lower residential heating demand must be fuel-neutral and may 
include, but are not limited to, energy efficiency improvements to residential 
buildings and upgrades to efficient heating systems that will reduce residential energy 
costs and greenhouse gas emissions, as determined by the board. The trust shall 
transfer to the commission 15% 55% of funds received by the trust fund during fiscal 
years 2013-14, 2014-15 and year 2015-16, which the commission shall direct 
transmission and distribution utilities to disburse to business ratepayers in a manner 
that provides maximum benefit to the Maine economy. Subject to the apportionment 
pursuant to this subsection, the trust shall fund conservation programs that give 
priority to measures with the highest benefit-to-cost ratio, as long as cost-effective 
collateral efficiency opportunities are not lost, and that: 
(1)  Reliably reduce greenhouse gas production and heating energy costs by fossil 
fuel combustion in the State at the lowest cost in funds from the trust fund per 
unit of emissions; or 
(2)  Reliably reduce the consumption of electricity in the State at the lowest cost 
in funds from the trust fund per kilowatt-hour saved. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This bill increases the amount of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Trust Fund 
revenue that is to be returned to business ratepayers.  Currently 15% of the funds are 
returned to businesses, and this bill increases it to 55%.  The bill adds loans and technical 
assistance to the required uses of the allocated funds, which also include measures, 
investments and arrangements that reduce electricity consumption or reduce greenhouse 
gas emissions and lower energy costs at commercial or industrial facilities.  It changes the 
percent allocated for those measures from 50% to 10% and adds the fiscal years of 2016-
17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 for funds to be allocated.