An Act To Update the Comprehensive State Energy Plan To Achieve the State Energy Vision
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 2015
Committee Amendment CA_A_H967 (House)
Amends: 2 MRSA §9

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 1497, L.D. 2015, "An Act To Update 
the Comprehensive State Energy Plan To Achieve the State Energy Vision" 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting the 
following: 
'Sec. 1. 2 MRSA §9, sub-§3, 1C, as amended by PL 2013, c. 541, §1, is repealed 
and the following enacted in its place: 
C. No later than December 1, 2023 and every 4 years thereafter, develop, with input 
from the public and in consultation with relevant state and quasi-independent state 
entities, a state energy plan that establishes specific strategies to achieve the State's 
energy and climate goals. The office shall submit the state energy plan to the Governor, 
the Maine Climate Council established by Title 38, section 577-A and the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy and utilities matters. The 
plan must include specific near-term and long-term goals, as well as benchmarks by 
which progress toward these goals will be measured, and strategies for accomplishing 
the goals. The director shall seek to ensure the plan is consistent with the following 
planning principles, referred to in this paragraph as "the state energy vision": 
(1) Ensure energy consumers in the State, including households and businesses, 
are able to access cost-effective sources of energy and reasonably priced energy; 
(2) Enable and promote economic activity across the State in a manner that 
develops and sustains a robust workforce and clean sources of energy; 
(3) Support the achievement of the State's emissions reduction, climate change and 
renewable energy goals; 
( 4) Achieve a fair and just allocation of energy benefits, costs and relative burdens 
for people and businesses in this State; 
(5) Ensure energy is supplied reliably and the frequency and duration of energy 
supply interruptions is minimized; 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A• to H.P. 1497, L.D. 2015 
( 6) Identify and minimize energy vulnerabilities, including by ensuring energy 
infrastructure is protected from and prepared for the effects of climate change; and 
(7) Plan with due regard for the regional nature of the State's energy systems. 
No later than January 1, 2025 and every 2 years thereafter, the director shall review the 
state energy plan and report to the Governor, the Maine Climate Council established 
by Title 38, section 577-A and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over energy and utilities matters on the State's progress toward achieving 
plan goals consistent with the state energy vision. In conducting the review, the office 
shall provide opportunities for public comment and input on the plan and progress. The 
report must provide specific and measured outcomes for each benchmark established 
in the plan. The report may also include recommended changes to the plan. If, within 
the 2-year reporting period, a change has been made to a benchmark or to a reporting 
method in the plan, the report may include additional data, metrics and methods to 
reflect the change, but the plan must also maintain consistent data, metrics and methods 
in order to ensure maximum accountability, transparency and public understanding of 
the plan and specific outcomes for each benchmark. 
The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy and 
utilities matters may report out a bill by February 1st of each even-numbered year 
relating to the content of the plan. The joint standing committee of the Legislature 
having jurisdiction over natural resources matters may make recommendations on that 
legislation to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over 
energy and utilities matters. 
Sec. 2. 2 MRSA §9, sub-§3, 1C-1, as amended by PL 2013, c. 415, §3, is further 
amended to read: 
C-1. By January March 15th of each year, prepare and submit to the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy and utilities and eHergy 
matters an annual report that describes the activities of the office during the previous 
calendar year in carrying out its duties under this subsection and describes the State's 
progress in implementation of the state energy plan prepared pursuant to paragraph C 
and its annual accounting pursuant to subsection 2-A, paragraph B. After receipt and 
review of the annual report required under this paragraph, the joint standing committee 
of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy and utilities aHd eHergy matters may 
submit legislation relating to energy policy; 
Sec. 3. 2 MRSA §9, sub-§3, ~G, as amended by PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. lv1M, §3 and 
affected by §26, is further amended to read: 
G. Seek, accept and administer funds from public and private sources and develop 
partnerships with public and private entities to support the goals of the office, 
including, but not limited to, promoting energy efficiency, demand-side management 
and distributed generation; and 
Sec. 4. 2 MRSA §9, sub-§3, 18, as amended by PL 2013, c. 415, §4, is repealed. 
Sec. 5. 2 MRSA §9, sub-§3, ~' as enacted by PL 2007, c. 656, Pt. C, § 1, is repealed. 
Sec. 6. 2 MRSA §9, sub-§4, ,re, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 655, Pt. C, §2, is 
amended to read: 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COJ\1:MITTEE AJ\AENDMENT" A" to H.P. 1497, L.D. 2015 
B. Avoiding wherever possible the use of lands subject to the provisions of the 
Constitution of Maine, Article IX, Section 23; and 
Sec. 7. 2 MRSA §9, sub-§4, 1C, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 655, Pt. C, §2, is 
amended to read: 
C. Maximizing the benefit realized from the State's strategic location within New 
England and the northeastern region-;-a,Rd~ 
Sec. 8. 2 MRSA §9, sub-§4, ~, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 655, Pt. C, §2, is 
repealed. 
Sec. 9. 2 MRSA §9, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. MM, §4 and affected 
by §26, is amended to read: 
6. Maine Energy Resources Development Program. The Maine Energy Resources 
Development Program, referred to in this subsection as "the program," is established to 
promote energy research aH:4.,_ demonstration and deployment activities related to both the 
use of indigenous, renewable resources and more efficient use of energy. The office, as 
funding allows, shall administer the program. The director may accept private money for 
the purpose of funding the program. 
A. The director shall include, in the eom13rehensive state energy plan under subsection 
3, paragraph C, a report that specifies, in regard to the program, the expenditure of 
program funds, the purposes for which the funds were used and the amount of the funds 
and the sources from which the funds were derived. 
B. For all proposed program expenditures of $10,000 or more, the director shall seek 
approval for those expenditures from the Governor. If the Governor approves, the 
director shall seek approval for those expenditures from the Legislature under the 
procedures authorizing the transfer of funds set forth in Title 5, section 1585. 
Sec. 10. 2 MRSA §9, sub-§8 is enacted to read: 
8. Contracts; agreements. With the consent of the Governor and to the extent of 
available funding, consistent with the powers and duties of the office under this section, 
the office may: 
A. Retain expert and professional consultants; 
B. Contract for other services the director determines to be necessary; and 
C. 
Enter into agreements with the Federal Government and other agencies and 
organizations to promote the objectives of this section.' 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section 
number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill. This amendment: 
1. Replaces the requirements of current law governing the state energy plan developed 
by the Governor's Energy Office; 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 1497, L.D. 2015 
2. Changes the annual reporting date from January 15th to March 15th for the 
Governor's Energy Office to report on the activities of the office to the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy and utilities matters; 
3. Repeals a directive to the Governor's Energy Office with regard to negotiating 
certain agreements with developers of renewable generation; 
4. Repeals a directive to the Governor's Energy Office to monitor certain energy 
transmission capacity planning activities; 
5. Repeals a directive to the Governor's Energy Office, when advising state agencies 
regarding energy matters, to comply with the provisions of a certain memorandum of 
agreement between the Maine Turnpike Authority and the Department of Transportation; 
6. Modifies the Maine Energy Resources Development Program to include promoting 
energy deployment activities related to both the use of indigenous, renewable resources 
and more efficient use of energy; and 
7. Authorizes the Governor's Energy Office, with the consent of the Governor, to the 
extent of available funds and consistent with the powers and duties of the office, to retain 
expert and professional consultants; contract for other services; and enter into agreements 
with the Federal Government and other agencies and organizations to promote the 
objectives of the office. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/04/22 ~ae. 
LD 2015 
LR 2657(02) 
An Act To Update the Comprehensive State Energy Plan To Achieve the State Energy Vision 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment'~' { H✓f6 7) 
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Any additional costs to the Governor's Energy Office from the provisions in this bill are expected to be minor and can 
be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR2657(02) - Fiscal Note - Pa2:e 1 of 1