Resolve, To Require the Approval by the Public Utilities Commission of a Proposal for a Long-term Contract for Deep-water Offshore Wind Energy
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0994
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
Sponsors: WOODSOME

Legislative Document
No. 994
S.P. 284
In Senate, February 26, 2019
Resolve, To Require the Approval by the Public Utilities 
Commission of a Proposal for a Long-term Contract for Deep-water 
Offshore Wind Energy
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology suggested and ordered 
printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator 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, in 2010, the 124th Legislature enacted An Act To Implement the 
Recommendations of the Governor's Ocean Energy Task Force, Public Law 2009, 
chapter 615; and
Whereas, Public Law 2009, chapter 615, Part A, section 6 directed the Public 
Utilities Commission, in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 
3210-C, to conduct a competitive solicitation for proposals for long-term contracts to 
supply installed capacity and associated renewable energy and renewable energy credits 
from one or more deep-water offshore wind energy pilot projects or tidal energy 
demonstration projects; and
Whereas, in July 2013, the Public Utilities Commission issued a supplemental 
request for proposals for long-term contracts for deep-water offshore wind energy pilot 
projects; and
Whereas, in August 2013, Maine Aqua Ventus I, GP, LLC, a partnership led by the 
University of Maine System, submitted a proposal to the Public Utilities Commission in 
response to the request for proposals; and
Whereas, the Public Utilities Commission evaluated the Maine Aqua Ventus 
proposal and, by orders issued in February 2014, selected Maine Aqua Ventus as the 
seller to transfer transmission and distribution capacity and associated energy produced 
by its deep-water offshore wind energy pilot project, subject to certain terms and 
conditions; and
Whereas, consistent with the terms and conditions set forth by the Public Utilities 
Commission in its February 2014 orders, Maine Aqua Ventus and Central Maine Power 
Company negotiated and drafted a long-term contract for capacity and associated energy 
following a series of meetings involving Maine Aqua Ventus, Central Maine Power 
Company and commission staff and legal counsel and filed the final draft with the Public 
Utilities Commission in December 2017; and
Whereas, in January 2018, the Public Utilities Commission delayed the contract's 
approval and solicited public comment on whether to reopen the request for proposals; 
and
Whereas, in June 2018, the Public Utilities Commission voted to not address the 
long-term contract between Maine Aqua Ventus and Central Maine Power Company filed 
with the commission in December 2017; and
Whereas, the Legislature finds that it is in the best interest of the State to approve 
the December 2017 long-term contract between Maine Aqua Ventus and Central Maine 
Power Company so that the deep-water offshore wind energy pilot project may move 
forward and generate the benefits to the State and its people previously sought by the 
Legislature; 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 to approve long-term contract 
between Maine Aqua Ventus and Central Maine Power Company. Resolved:  
That, within 30 days of the effective date of this resolve, the Public Utilities Commission 
shall approve the long-term contract for capacity and associated energy between Maine 
Aqua Ventus I, GP, LLC and Central Maine Power Company filed with the commission 
in December 2017.
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 approve the long-term 
contract for capacity and associated energy between Maine Aqua Ventus I, GP, LLC and 
Central Maine Power Company submitted to the commission in December 2017.