Resolve, To Require Review of the Outcomes of Utility Restructuring and Electricity Generation Divestiture
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1116
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
Sponsors: STEWART, FOSTER, WADSWORTH

Legislative Document
No. 1116
S.P. 379
In Senate, March 22, 2021
Resolve, To Require Review of the Outcomes of Utility 
Restructuring and Electricity Generation Divestiture
(EMERGENCY)
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on March 18, 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 STEWART of Aroostook.
Cosponsored by Representatives: FOSTER of Dexter, WADSWORTH of Hiram.
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 regional focus on restructuring electricity markets is actively underway; 
and
Whereas, states in New England are working toward achieving decarbonization; and
Whereas, reliability, efficiency and resource neutrality valued by jurisdictional 
wholesale markets of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the clean energy and 
decarbonization objectives valued by the New England states are not aligned, and it is 
important for the Legislature to actively understand these issues so it can act accordingly; 
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.  Committee meetings.  Resolved:  That the Joint Standing Committee on 
Energy, Utilities and Technology shall conduct at least 3 public hearings during the First 
Regular Session of the 130th Legislature to allow both expert and public testimony on the 
lessons learned as a consequence of the restructuring of Maine’s electric utilities, the 
required divestiture of utility-owned electricity generation and the creation of ISO-New 
England in 2000.
Sec. 2.  Public Utilities Commission review and report.  Resolved:  That the 
Public Utilities Commission shall hire an independent consultant to conduct a high-level 
review of and report on current proposals to better align the clean energy and 
decarbonization objectives adopted by New England states with the emphasis on reliability, 
efficiency and resource neutrality favored in the New England wholesale electricity 
markets and how these proposals can benefit consumers in the State through the 
improvement of electric energy generation and delivery.
Sec. 3.  Report.  Resolved:  That, by January 15, 2022, the Public Utilities 
Commission shall submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and 
Technology along with any recommendations regarding the independent review conducted 
in accordance with section 2.  The committee may report out a bill based on the report 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 directs the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology 
to hold at least 3 public hearings during the First Regular Session of the 130th Legislature 
to hear testimony on lessons learned from the restructuring of Maine's electric utilities, the 
required divestiture of utility-owned generation and the creation of ISO-New England in 
2000.  It also requires the Public Utilities Commission to hire an independent consultant to 
conduct a high-level review of and report on current proposals to better align the clean 
energy and decarbonization objectives adopted by New England states with the emphasis 
on reliability, efficiency and resource neutrality favored in the New England wholesale 
electricity markets and how these proposals can benefit consumers in the State through the 
improvement of electric energy generation and delivery.  It also requires the commission 
to submit a report to the committee by January 15, 2022 and allows the committee to report 
out a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 130th Legislature based on the report.