An Act To Create a Limited Microgrid Project To Stimulate Economic Development in Northern Maine
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1157
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
Sponsors: JACKSON, CARPENTER, DION, WOODSOME, MARTIN
Amends: 35-A MRSA §3214-A

Legislative Document
No. 1157
S.P. 378
In Senate, March 23, 2017
An Act To Create a Limited Microgrid Project To Stimulate 
Economic Development in Northern Maine
Reference to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology suggested and ordered 
printed.
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator JACKSON of Aroostook.
Cosponsored by Senators: CARPENTER of Aroostook, DION of Cumberland, WOODSOME 
of York, Representatives: MARTIN of Eagle Lake, MARTIN of Sinclair, McCREA of Fort 
Fairfield.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  35-A MRSA §3214-A is enacted to read: 
§3214-A.  Microgrids; limited program in northern Maine 
1.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms 
have the following meanings. 
A.  "Industrial consumer" means an electricity consumer that requires or receives 
electric service at 34.5 kilovolts or more. 
B.  "Microgrid" means a transmission or distribution system connecting an electricity 
generator with one or more industrial consumers located in close proximity to the 
generator that allows the sale or transfer of electricity from the generator to those 
consumers without use of the transmission and distribution utility system. 
C.  "Northern Maine" means that area of the State in which the transmission system 
and electrical power markets are administered by the independent system 
administrator for northern Maine. 
2.  Program in northern Maine.  The commission by rule shall establish a limited 
program to allow microgrids in northern Maine.  The rules must specify at least the 
following: 
A.  The capacity limit and other appropriate qualifications for an electricity generator 
in a microgrid; 
B.  The kilovolt limit and other appropriate qualifications for a transmission or 
distribution system in a microgrid; 
C.  The maximum distance between the electricity generator and an industrial 
consumer in a microgrid; 
D.  The maximum number of industrial consumers that may be in a microgrid; and 
E.  The process by which a person applies for authorization from the commission to 
construct, maintain, operate and furnish service to industrial consumers in a 
microgrid.  The commission may establish an application fee to cover its 
administrative costs under this section. 
3.  Regulation.  Notwithstanding section 2102 or any other provision of this Title, a 
person that constructs, maintains or operates a microgrid authorized under this section 
does not, as a result of furnishing service through that microgrid to industrial consumers 
in accordance with rules adopted under this section, become a public utility and is not 
subject to regulation as a public utility under this Title. 
4.  Rules.  Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as 
defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
5.  Review and reporting.  By February 15, 2018 and annually thereafter, the 
commission shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over utilities matters on the program established under this section.  The 
report must include at least the following: 
A.  A summary of the program, including the substance of rules in effect under this 
section and the number of microgrids that have been authorized; 
B.  The effect of the program on economic development in northern Maine; 
C.  The effect of the program on transmission and distribution utilities in northern 
Maine; and 
D.  Any recommendations of the commission with respect to whether the program 
should be continued, expanded, limited or discontinued. 
SUMMARY 
This bill establishes a limited microgrid program in northern Maine.  The bill directs 
the Public Utilities Commission to establish by rule a program that would allow the 
creation of small transmission or distribution systems connecting an electricity generator 
with one or more industrial consumers located in close proximity to the generator, 
allowing for the sale or transfer of electricity from the generator to those consumers 
without use of the system of the transmission and distribution utility.  The commission is 
directed to report annually to the Legislature on the program and whether it should be 
continued, expanded, limited or discontinued.