Resolve, To Create the Commission To Study and Recommend a Financing Model To Increase Capital Investment in Renewable Energy, Clean Energy Technology, Energy Efficiency Projects and Jobs in Maine
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1556
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
Sponsors: CARNEY, ZEIGLER, BREEN, JACKSON, LAWRENCE, WOODSOME, BERRY, FECTEAU, GROHOSKI

Legislative Document
No. 1556
S.P. 498
In Senate, April 22, 2021
Resolve, To Create the Commission To Study and Recommend a 
Financing Model To Increase Capital Investment in Renewable 
Energy, Clean Energy Technology, Energy Efficiency Projects and 
Jobs in Maine
(EMERGENCY)
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on April 20, 2021.  Referred to the Committee on 
Energy, Utilities and Technology pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator CARNEY of Cumberland.
Cosponsored by Representative ZEIGLER of Montville and
Senators: BREEN of Cumberland, President JACKSON of Aroostook, LAWRENCE of York, 
WOODSOME of York, Representatives: BERRY of Bowdoinham, Speaker FECTEAU of 
Biddeford, GROHOSKI of Ellsworth.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, Maine organizations have been supporting many aspects of renewable 
energy, clean energy technology, energy efficiency projects and jobs, including the 
Efficiency Maine Trust, which administers programs to improve energy efficiency and 
reduce greenhouse gases; the Maine State Housing Authority, which assists Maine people 
with home energy costs and home energy efficiency; and the Finance Authority of Maine, 
which provides financial solutions to help Maine people achieve their business and higher 
educational goals, and the impact of these organizations can be expanded through shared 
expertise and coordination; and
Whereas, this resolve establishes the Commission To Study and Recommend a 
Financing Model To Increase Capital Investment in Renewable Energy, Clean Energy 
Technology, Energy Efficiency Projects and Jobs in Maine; and
Whereas, the members must be appointed and the study initiated before the 90-day 
period expires in order that the study may be completed and a report submitted in time for 
submission to the next legislative 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.  Commission established. Resolved: That the Commission To Study and 
Recommend a Financing Model To Increase Capital Investment in Renewable Energy, 
Clean Energy Technology, Energy Efficiency Projects and Jobs in Maine, referred to in 
this resolve as "the commission," is established.
Sec. 2.  Commission membership. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the commission consists of 13 members as follows:
1.  Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including a 
member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature; 
2.  Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the 
House, including a member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats 
in the Legislature;
3. Seven members appointed by the Governor who possess expertise in the subject 
matter of the study as follows: 
A.  One representative with expertise in renewable energy, energy efficiency or clean 
energy technology; 
B.  One representative with expertise in affordable housing; 
C.  One representative with expertise in climate change science;
D.  Two representatives with expertise in private sector finance and lending;
E.  One representative with expertise in finance and lending for individuals or 
businesses in the State that have difficulty accessing capital; and
F.  One representative of organized labor;
4.  The Director of the Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, or the 
director's designee; and
5.  The Treasurer of State, or the treasurer's designee.
Sec. 3.  Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate chair 
and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the 
commission.
Sec. 4.  Appointments; convening of commission. Resolved: That all 
appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this 
resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative 
Council once all appointments have been completed. After appointment of all members, 
the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission. If 30 days or more 
after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been 
made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority for 
the commission to meet and conduct its business.
Sec. 5.  Duties. Resolved:  That in performing its study the commission shall:
1.  Conduct an analysis of the unmet need for capital to fund renewable energy, clean 
energy technology and energy efficiency projects in the State;
2.  Examine financing models and identify a model or models that would improve 
residents' access to capital and ability to complete renewable energy, clean energy 
technology and energy efficiency projects;
3.  Recommend a financing model to increase capital investment in renewable energy, 
clean energy technology, energy efficiency projects and jobs in the State.  In recommending 
a financing model, the commission shall consider relevant factors, including, but not 
limited to: 
A.  The capacity for the model to use public sector funds to leverage private sector 
investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects; 
B.  The ability of the model to satisfy the State's unmet needs for capital to fund 
renewable energy and energy efficiency projects; 
C.  The effectiveness of the model in supporting renewable energy, clean energy 
technology and energy efficiency projects in affordable housing;
D.  The capacity of the model to make capital accessible to populations with low 
income and underserved communities; 
E.  The capacity of a model to grow as new opportunities for capital and financial 
products arise; 
F.  The effect the model will have on increasing jobs and annual earnings for residents 
of the State working in occupations related to renewable energy, clean energy 
technology and energy efficiency projects; and 
G.  The potential for the model to substantially contribute to State's goals to reduce 
greenhouse gas emissions from homes and businesses; and 
4.  Recommend an organizational entity that can support the financing model, provide 
coordination of programs and serve as a hub for the expertise the State needs to secure the 
capital needed to meet the State's goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance. Resolved:  That the Governor's Office of Policy 
Innovation and the Future shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission.
Sec. 7.  Engaging consultants. Resolved: That the commission is authorized to 
engage private consultants to assist in the performance of its duties, including conducting 
an analysis of the unmet need for capital to fund renewable energy, clean energy technology 
and energy efficiency projects in the State.
Sec. 8.  Outside funding. Resolved: That the commission shall seek funding 
contributions to fully fund the costs of the study. All funding is subject to approval by the 
Legislative Council in accordance with its policies.  If sufficient contributions to fund the 
study have not been received within 30 days after the effective date of this resolve, no 
meetings are authorized and no expenses of any kind may be incurred or reimbursed.
Sec. 9.  Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 1, 2021, the commission 
shall submit a report with its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 130th Legislature.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve establishes the Commission To Study and Recommend a Financing Model 
To Increase Capital Investment in Renewable Energy, Clean Energy Technology, Energy 
Efficiency Projects and Jobs in Maine.  The commission is required to conduct an analysis 
of the unmet need for capital and to examine and recommend financing models to increase 
capital investment in renewable energy, clean energy technology, energy efficiency 
projects and jobs in Maine, including recommending an organizational entity that can 
support the financing model.  The commission is required to submit a report, including 
suggested legislation, by December 1, 2021 for presentation to the Second Regular Session 
of the 130th Legislature.