Resolve, to Require the Public Utilities Commission to Initiate a Feasibility Study to Evaluate Transmission Technologies and Siting Locations for Any Future Electric Transmission Line Proposed Pursuant to the N01thern Maine Renewable Energy Development Program
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 2205
Committee Amendment CA_A_H909 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" f\:,, to H.P. 1413, L.D. 2205, "Resolve, to Require 
the Public Utilities Commission to Initiate a Feasibility Study to Evaluate Transmission 
Technologies and Siting Locations for Any Future Electric Transmission Line Proposed 
Pursuant to the N01thern Maine Renewable Energy Development Program" 
Amend the resolve by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, to Direct the Governor's Energy Office to Conduct a Study Regarding the 
Future of Electric Transmission Infrastructure in the State' 
Amend the resolve by striking out everything after the title and insetting the following: 
'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 Governor's Energy Office needs sufficient time to conduct the study 
directed by this legislation and must commence its work as soon as possible; and 
Whereas, the matters to be studied by the office implicate critical and pressing issues 
related to the effects of climate change on the State, its communities and its environment 
and natural resources; and 
Whereas, the results of this study could have implications for electric transmission 
infrastructure procurements in the near future; 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. 
Study of future electric transmission infrastructure needs. 
Resolved: That the Governor's Energy Office, referred to in this resolve as "the office," 
shall conduct a study of matters related to the State's future electric transmission 
infrastructure needs. The study must include a review of: 
Page I • 131LR3013(02) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" P( to H.P. 1413, L.D. 2205 
1. Existing processes for the siting and permitting of new and upgraded electric 
transmission infrastructure in the State, including oppo1tunities for public engagement and 
methods for efficiently meeting permitting or regulatory requirements; 
2. Best practices related to electric transmission planning, siting, permitting and 
community engagement from other states or regions, including consideration of different 
types of state siting authorities and consideration of the potential for the sharing of electric 
transmission infrastructure costs with other states; 
3. Existing analyses of future electric transmission needs in the State necessary to 
integrate new renewable resources as well as to ensure reliability, improve market 
efficiency or supp01t the achievement of the State's policy goals, including the goals 
established pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 3210, subsection 
1-A; Title 35-A, section 3404; Title 35-A, chapter 38; and Title 38, section 576-A; 
4. Types of existing rights-of-way and opportunities for potential use of those rights-
of-way for siting of electric transmission infrastructure in the State, including colocation 
with transpmtation, electric transmission and railway rights-of-way; and 
5. Existing and emerging technology and construction methods, such as grid-enhancing 
technologies, advanced conductors and so-called strategic undergrounding, including a 
cost-benefit analysis comparing buried high-voltage direct current lines with aerial high-
voltage altemating current lines and aerial high-voltage direct current lines. 
Sec. 2. Stakeholder coordination. Resolved: That the office shall coordinate 
with state agencies involved in the siting, permitting and regulation of electric transmission 
infrastrncture and solicit information from a stakeholder group to assist in conducting the 
study under section 1. The office shall hold at least one meeting with the stakeholder group, 
which must include, but is not limited to: 
1. A representative of the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future; 
2. A representative of the Public Utilities Commission; 
3. A representative of the Depa1tment of Economic and Community Development; 
4. A representative of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; 
5. A representative of the Depa1tment oflnland Fisheries and Wildlife; 
6. A representative of the Depa1tment of Environmental Protection; 
7. 
An individual who is a licensed engineer employed by the Depa1tment of 
Transportation; 
8. An individual who is a licensed engineer employed in the private sector; 
9. An individual who is a licensed real estate appraiser employed in the private sector; 
10. 
An individual representing the N01them Maine Independent System 
Administrator; 
11. An individual representing the equity subcommittee of the Maine Climate Council 
established under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, section 577-A; 
12. An individual representing the interests of private landowners in the State; 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT"!+:" to H.P. 1413, L.D. 2205 
13, Two individuals representing each of the 2 investor-owned transmission and 
distributfon utilities in the State; 
14, An individual representing consumer-owned transmission and distribution utilities 
in the State; and 
15, An individual representing an electric transmission line developer, 
Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That, by September 1, 2025, the office shall submit a 
repoti to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over utility 
matters that includes an overview of the study findings pursuant to section 1 along with 
any recommendations. The committee may rep01i out a bill related to the repoti to the 
Sec. 4. 
Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: That the following 
appropriations and allocations are made, 
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT 
Governor's Energy Office Zl22 
Initiative: Provides one-time funding for contracted consulting services to complete a study 
of matters related to the future of electric transmission infrastructure needs in the State, 
GENERAL FUND 
All Other 
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
2023-24 
$0 
$0 
2024-25 
$150,000 
$150,000 
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.' 
Amend the resolve by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Pati letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the resolve, adds an emergency preamble and clause and 
changes the title. It directs the Govemor's Energy Office to conduct a study of matters 
related to the State's future electric transmission infrastructure needs. It requires the office 
to coordinate with state agencies involved in the siting, permitting and regulation of electric 
transmission infrastructure and solicit information from a stakeholder group to assist in 
conducting the study. It requires the office to submit a repott by September 1, 2025 to the 
joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over utility matters that 
includes an overview of the study findings along with any recommendations. It provides 
that the committee may rep01t out a bill related to the rep01t to the Second Regular Session 
of the 132nd Legislature. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved:. 03/26/24 ;::b;rae!. 
LD2205 
LR3013(02) 
Resolve, to Require the Public Utilities Commission to Initiate a Feasibility Study to Evaluate 
Transmission Technologies and Siting Locations for Any Future Electric Transmission Line Proposed 
Pursuant to the Northern Maine Renewable Energy Development Program 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 'P{-'(H-1' tff) 
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology 
Net Cost (Savings) 
General Fund 
Appropriations/ Allocations 
General Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
FY2023-24 
FY2024-25 
$0 
$150,000 
$0 
$150,000 
Projections 
FY2025-26 
$0 
$0 
Projections 
FY2026-27 
$0 
This bill includes a one-time General Fund appropriation to the Governor's Energy Office of $150,000 in fiscal year 
2024-25 for contracted consulting services to complete a study of matters related to the State's transmission 
infrastructure needs, Any additional costs to other state agencies to pa1ticipate in a stakeholder group are anticipated 
to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR3013(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1