An Act to Finance Clean Energy and Infrastructure in Maine
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1606
Committee Amendment CA_A_S570 (Senate)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT " ^ " to S.P. 638, L.D. 1606, "An Act to Finance
Clean Energy and Infrastructure in Maine"
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following:
'Resolve, to Study Opportunities and Provide Guidance for School Clean Energy and
Energy Efficiency Programs '
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and inserting the following:
'See. 1. Study to evaluate opportunities for clean energy and energy
efficiency programs in schools; report. Resolved: That the Department of
Education's office of innovation, in coordination with the Office of Policy Innovation and
the Future, the Governor's Energy Office and the Efficiency Maine Tmst, shall conduct a
study and develop guidance to assist public elementary and secondary schools in the State
with achieving energy efficiency and maximizing the use of clean energy. The study must
include:
1. Identification and review of current and anticipated:
A. State and federal programs available to public elementary and secondary schools in
the State for supporting energy audits and energy efficiency projects and fmancing and
development of clean energy and clean transportation; and
B. Options for public elementary and secondary schools to contract with energy
services companies, as defined in the Maine Revised Statites, Title 5, section 1770,
subsection 2, paragraph B, including opportunities for 3rd-party fmancing of school
construction; and
2. Review and consideration of:
A. National climate policies and best practices, including, but not limited to, those
described in Executive Order No. 14008, 86 Federal Register, 7619, January 27,2021,
and from relevant jurisdictions; and
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
ROS
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "^ " to S.P. 638, L.D. 1606 (5"5
B. State policies related to labor practices and workforce enhancement standards,
including, but not limited to, those described in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3 5-A,
section 3408, subsection 2, paragraph F, subparagraph (2).
The guidance developed through this study must address how the programs and
contracting options reviewed in accordance with subsection 1 may be effectively accessed
and used by public elementary and secondary schools in the State and how public
elementary and secondary schools can incorporate the best practices and standards
reviewed in accordance with subsection 2 within those programs and contracting options.
No later than January 31, 2025, the Department of Education's office of innovation
shall provide a report of its activities, as well as guidance for public elementary and
secondary schools in the State for achieving energy efficiency, to the joint standing
committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy matters and education
matters. The report may also include recommendations for legislation. The joint standing
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy matters may report out a bill
related to the report to the 132nd Legislature in 2025.
Sec. 2. Department of Education to develop contracting guidance for
schools; report. Resolved: That the Department of Education, in consultation with the
Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, the Governor's Energy Office, the Efficiency
Maine Tmst, relevant state agencies and representatives from school leadership, including
superintendents, business officers and facilities managers, shall develop contracting
guidance for public elementary and secondary schools to assist the schools with saving
money through energy efficiency, clean energy and clean transportation projects. The
guidance must be designed to assist schools entermg into contracts for such projects,
including energy performance contracts with energy service companies, as defined in the
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 1770, subsection 2, paragraph B, to maximize
federal tax incentives and ensure timely and on-budget project completion of the contracted
project or service.
No later than January 31, 2025, the Department of Education shall provide a report,
including draft guidance, to the joint standing committees of the Legislature having
jurisdiction over energy matters and education matters. The report may also include
recommendations for legislation. The joint standing committee of the Legislature havmg
jurisdiction over education matters may report out a bill related to the report to the 132nd
Legislature in 2025.'
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section
number to read consecutively.
SUMMARY
This amendment replaces the bill with a resolve and does the following.
1. It directs the Department of Education's office of innovation to conduct a study and
develop guidance, in coordination with the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, the
Governor's Energy Office and the Efficiency Maine Tmst, to assist public elementary and
secondary schools in the State with achieving energy efficiency and maximizing the use of
clean energy. The guidance must address how the programs and contracting options
reviewed as a part of the shidy may be effectively accessed and used by public elementary
and secondary schools in the State and incorporate the best practices and standards. No
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
ROS COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "^ to S.P. 638, L.D. 1606 ^S '6~ 7^)
later than January 31, 2025, the Department of Education's office of innovation must
provide a report of its activities, as well as guidance for public elementary and secondary
schools in the State for achieving energy efficiency, to the joint standing committees of the
Legislature havmg jurisdiction over energy matters and education matters. The joint
standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy matters may report
out a bill related to the report to the 132nd Legislature in 2025.
2. It requires the Department of Education, ui consultation with the Office of Policy
Innovation and the Future, the Governor's Energy Office, the Efficiency Maine Tmst,
relevant state agencies and representatives from school leadership, including
superintendents, business officers and facilities managers, to develop contracting guidance
for public elementary and secondary schools to assist the schools with saving money
through energy efficiency, clean energy and clean transportation projects. No later than
January 31, 2025, the Department of Education must provide a report, including draft
guidance, to the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over
energy matters and education matters. The joint standing committee of the Legislature
having jurisdiction over education matters may report out a bill related to the report to the
132nd Legislature in 2025.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Approved: 02/29/24 ^6^
LD 1606 LR 1104(02)
An Act to Finance Clean Energy and Infrastructure in Maine
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "/41/^ <-S''
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Minor cost increase - General Fund
Minor cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds
Minor cost increase - Efficiency Maine Tmst
Fiscal Detail and Notes
Any additional costs to the Department of Education, the Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, the
Governor's Energy Office and the Efficiency Maine Trust from the provisions of this bill are expected to be minor
and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.
LR1104(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1