Resolve, Directing the Public Utilities Commission To Evaluate the Ownership of Maine's Power Delivery Systems
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 1844

Legislative Document
No. 1844
H.P. 1315
House of Representatives, June 18, 2019
Resolve, Directing the Public Utilities Commission To Evaluate the 
Ownership of Maine's Power Delivery Systems
(EMERGENCY)
Reported by Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham for the Joint Standing Committee on 
Energy, Utilities and Technology pursuant to Joint Order 2019, H.P. 1306.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, 19 of every 20 Maine electricity customers are currently served by an 
investor-owned transmission and distribution utility owned from a foreign nation; and 
Whereas, the remaining Maine electricity customers are served by consumer-owned 
utilities such as Kennebunk Light and Power District, Madison Electric Works, Houlton 
Water Company and Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative; and 
Whereas, an in-depth evaluation of the proposal contained in L.D. 1646, An Act To 
Restore Local Ownership and Control of Maine's Power Delivery Systems, to create the 
Maine Power Delivery Authority as a consumer-owned utility to acquire and operate the 
transmission and distribution systems in the State currently owned by investor-owned 
transmission and distribution utilities is needed before the Legislature acts on that 
proposal; 
Whereas, the evaluation must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order 
for the Public Utilities Commission to provide findings and recommendations for action 
in the second regular session; 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.  Public Utilities Commission evaluation. Resolved:  That the Public 
Utilities Commission shall evaluate the proposal for creation of the Maine Power 
Delivery Authority as presented in L.D. 1646, An Act To Restore Local Ownership and 
Control of Maine's Power Delivery Systems, referred to in this resolve as "the proposal."  
The evaluation must include but is not limited to: 
1.  Analysis of the costs and benefits, both short-term and long-term, of the proposal; 
2.  Examination of legal, regulatory, technical, financial and operational issues related 
to the proposal and its implementation; 
3.  Assessment of anticipated impacts, both positive and negative, of the proposal on 
the State, including but not limited to impacts on electricity rates, utility employees and 
ratepayers; and 
4.  Development of alternatives or amendments to the proposal to address any 
identified obstacles to its implementation.  
The commission shall contract with an independent consultant or consultants with 
relevant expertise to assist the commission with the evaluation.  For the purposes of this 
section, "relevant expertise" includes, but is not limited to, expertise in utility valuation 
and finance and other legal, regulatory, technical, financial and operational issues related 
to the proposal.  The commission may seek public input and may consult with the Office 
of the Public Advocate and the Governor's Energy Office as needed to conduct the 
evaluation.  
Sec. 2.  Report.  Resolved:  That, no later than February 15, 2020, the Public 
Utilities Commission shall submit to the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities 
and Technology a report on the evaluation required in section 1.  The report must include 
results, findings and recommendations from the evaluation, including suggested 
amendments to the proposal and any other suggested legislation.  The report must specify 
which aspects of the evaluation have been completed and which, if any, require further 
time and study. 
Sec. 3.  Funding. Resolved:  That, notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, 
Title 35-A, section 117, subsection 3, paragraph B, or any other provision of law to the 
contrary, the Public Utilities Commission shall use funds from the Public Utilities 
Commission Reimbursement Fund, established in Title 35-A, section 117, to carry out the 
requirements of this resolve.  
Sec. 4.  Appropriations and allocations.  Resolved:  That the following 
appropriations and allocations are made. 
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION 
Public Utilities - Administrative Division 0184 
Initiative: Provides an allocation for the cost of consulting services needed to evaluate a 
proposal to create the Maine Power Delivery Authority. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Public Utilities Commission to evaluate the proposal for 
creation of the Maine Power Delivery Authority as presented in L.D. 1646, An Act To 
Restore Local Ownership and Control of Maine's Power Delivery Systems. It requires the 
commission to contract with an independent consultant or consultants with relevant 
expertise to assist the commission with the evaluation. It requires the commission to 
submit a report on the evaluation no later than February 15, 2020 that includes results, 
findings and recommendations and specifies which aspects of the evaluation have been
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 
2019-20
2020-21
All Other 
$500,000
$0
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL 
$500,000
$0
completed and which require further study.  The resolve authorizes the commission to use 
funds from the Public Utilities Commission Reimbursement Fund to carry out the 
required evaluation.  The resolve includes an appropriations and allocations section. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
Approved: 06/14/19
LD 1844
LR 2564(01)
FY 2019-20
FY 2020-21
Projections 
FY 2021-22
Projections 
FY 2022-23
Appropriations/Allocations
Other Special Revenue Funds
$500,000
$0
$0
$0
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This resolve requires that the Public Utilities Commission evaluate and report back on the proposal to create the 
Maine Power Delivery Authority as presented in LD 1646, An Act to Restore Local Ownership and Control of 
Maine's Power Delivery System. This resolve includes a one-time allocation of $500,000 to the PUC Reimbursement 
Fund to allow expenditures related to the cost of the evaluation.  The PUC Reimbursement Fund has sufficient cash 
available to fund the additional allocation. 
Resolve, Directing the Public Utilities Commission To Evaluate the Ownership of Maine's Power 
Delivery Systems
Fiscal Note for Original Bill
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
LR2564(01) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1