Resolve, To Provide for Participation of the State in the Planning and Negotiations for the Atlantic Loop Energy Project
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 0082
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
Sponsors: KESSLER

Legislative Document
No. 82
H.P. 48
House of Representatives, January 13, 2021
Resolve, To Provide for Participation of the State in the Planning 
and Negotiations for the Atlantic Loop Energy Project
(EMERGENCY)
Received by the Clerk of the House on January 11, 2021.  Referred to the Committee on 
Energy, Utilities and Technology pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to 
Joint Rule 401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative KESSLER of South Portland.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the Government of Canada in the 2020 Speech from the Throne announced 
the Atlantic Loop, a project that will create a continuous transmission and power supply 
interconnection among the 5 provinces and will pass through Maine; and
Whereas, the Atlantic Loop can provide the State with access to renewable power 
supply originating in the affected Canadian provinces as well as access to Canadian markets 
for renewable power supply developed and sited in Maine; and
Whereas, the State has an interest in the project identical to that of the 5 provinces 
and will be affected in the same manner; and
Whereas, the Atlantic Loop, which will have a direct effect on the State, is being 
actively pursued with a view to arriving at early agreements soon for its creation; and
Whereas, ensuring access and treatment for the State's customers, transmission 
operators and power suppliers equal to that accorded to the 5 provinces is an objective of 
the State and is attainable by the use of its regulatory and other authorities to represent the 
economic and environmental interests of the State in the negotiations; 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.  State to request participation in Atlantic Loop planning and 
negotiations.  Resolved:  That the Governor shall inform the Prime Minister of Canada 
and the premiers of the provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova 
Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec that the State has a direct interest in all aspects 
of the Canadian project, referred to in this resolve as "the Atlantic Loop," to link the electric 
grids of the provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, 
Prince Edward Island and Quebec for the purpose of increasing access to renewable power 
supply and requests participation on an equal footing in the negotiations relative to its 
creation, operation and management.
Sec. 2.  State to develop and pursue policies promoting and facilitating 
participation in the Atlantic Loop.  Resolved:  That, in participating in the planning 
and negotiations on the Atlantic Loop, the Governor, assisted by such state agencies and 
other interested parties as the Governor designates, shall develop and pursue policies, 
consistent with state law, designed to maximize the benefits that all affected parties in the 
State can obtain from it.
Sec. 3.  Governor to inform the Legislature.  Resolved:  That the Governor 
shall report not less than once every 3 months to the joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over electric utility matters on the status and substance of 
the State's involvement in all matters relative to the Atlantic Loop.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve provides for the immediate, direct involvement of the State in the planning 
and negotiations on the Atlantic Loop, a Canadian electric transmission and power supply 
project intended to pass through the State, enabling possible participation in it on an equal 
footing with the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, 
Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec.