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 (AFTER DEADLINE)
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 2205
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
Sponsors: CYRWAY, JACKSON, DILL, FOSTER, HYMES, PERKINS, TALBOT ROSS, CURRY, FARRIN, STEWART

Legislative Document
No. 2205
H.P. 1413
House of Representatives, February 5, 2024
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
(AFTER DEADLINE)
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
205.
Reference to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative CYRWAY of Albion.
Cosponsored by President JACKSON of Aroostook and
Representatives: DILL of Old Town, FOSTER of Dexter, HYMES of Waldo, PERKINS of 
Dover-Foxcroft, Speaker TALBOT ROSS of Portland, Senators: CURRY of Waldo, FARRIN 
of Somerset, STEWART of Aroostook.
Sec. 1.  Feasibility study required.  Resolved:  That the Public Utilities 
Commission, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," shall contract with an 
independent engineering firm to perform a study concerning the feasibility of a 345-
kilovolt or greater capacity electric transmission line designed pursuant to the Northern 
Maine Renewable Energy Development Program, as established in the Maine Revised 
Statutes, Title 35-A, section 3210-I, subsection 1, before the commission issues a new 
request for proposals for development and construction of the electric transmission line 
pursuant to Title 35-A, section 3210-I, subsection 2.
Sec. 2.  Administration of feasibility study; partners. Resolved:  That the 
commission shall contract with an independent engineering firm to formulate and 
administer the feasibility study. The commission may also contract or otherwise consult 
with an organization or firm with expertise in public policy related to energy, public utilities 
or infrastructure. The commission and its chosen partners for the feasibility study are 
referred to in this resolve as "the project team."
Sec. 3.  Feasibility study; requirements. Resolved:  That, in designing the 
feasibility study, the project team shall identify different technologies and methods for the 
development and construction of the electric transmission line and possible routes for the 
transmission corridor. With respect to each proposed solution, the project team shall 
evaluate:
1.  The extent to which the proposed electric transmission line would satisfy the 
requirements of and advance the goals of the Northern Maine Renewable Energy 
Development Program; 
2.  The extent to which the proposed electric transmission line advances the clean 
energy goals of the State; 
3.  Infrastructure demands, including:
A.  An analysis of the new infrastructure development necessary to complete the 
proposed electric transmission line and connect the line to the proposed King Pine 
Wind project in Aroostook County;
B.  The necessity and feasibility of integrating the proposed electric transmission line 
with existing infrastructure; and
C.  Possible methods for integrating new or existing broadband infrastructure; 
4.  Resources needed for and possible obstacles associated with successfully and 
efficiently integrating with the electric grid; 
5.  The extent to which the proposed electric transmission line would affect the land, 
use of or enjoyment of the land, including:
A.  Ecological and other environmental impacts; 
B.  Impacts on scenic character;
C.  Impacts on recreational uses of affected land;
D.  Impacts on historical sites; 
E.  The extent to which any proposed route would pass through privately owned land; 
and
F.  The extent to which any proposed route would pass through a state-owned or 
federally owned nature preserve.
6. Economic impacts, including:
A.  A cost-benefit analysis of the proposed electric transmission line; and
B.  Economic impacts on the citizens, communities and municipalities affected by the 
construction and operation of the proposed electric transmission line;
7.  Public health and safety considerations;
8.  Reliability and resiliency of the proposed electric transmission line when exposed 
to inclement weather, natural disasters and other foreseeable stressors;
9.  Long-term maintenance and repair; 
10.  Regulatory and permitting challenges; 
11.  Cost allocation; and
12.  Community input. 
Sec. 4.  Deadline to complete feasibility study. Resolved:  That the project team 
shall complete the feasibility study no later than January 1, 2026.
Sec. 5.  Report.  Resolved:  That, after completing the feasibility study, the 
commission shall, no later than January 14, 2026, issue a report to the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy, utilities and technology 
matters.  The report must include: 
1.  A summary of the feasibility study; and
2.  The project team's recommendations based on the conclusions of the feasibility 
study, including:
A.  Preferred technologies;
B.  Recommended siting locations, including any advice concerning particular routes 
to be avoided; and
C.  Any recommendations for additional legislation or further study.
The joint standing committee may report out a bill related to the report to the Second 
Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature. 
Sec. 6.  Further action by commission.  Resolved:  That the commission may 
not resume the request-for-proposals process pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 
35-A, section 3210-I, subsection 2 or otherwise continue developing an electric 
transmission line until the following conditions are met:
1.  The feasibility study is completed; 
2.  The commission submits its report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature 
having jurisdiction over energy, utilities and technology matters pursuant to section 5; and
3.  The Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature is adjourned. 
SUMMARY
This resolve requires the Public Utilities Commission to contract with one or more 
partners to initiate a study evaluating the feasibility of alternative technologies and siting 
routes for the development and construction of an electric transmission line pursuant to the 
Northern Maine Renewable Energy Development Program. The feasibility study must 
include an evaluation of a number of factors, including, but not limited to, economic 
impacts, environmental impacts, public health concerns and a cost-benefit analysis of the 
proposed electric transmission line and requires the commission to consider community 
input. Upon conclusion of the feasibility study, the commission is required to issue a report 
to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy, utilities 
and technology matters, which must include a summary of the feasibility study and any 
recommendations by the commission and its partners. The resolve authorizes the 
committee receiving the report to report out a bill related to the report to the Second Regular 
Session of the 132nd Legislature. The commission may not resume the 
request-for-proposals process or any other work on the electric transmission line until the 
feasibility study has been completed, the report has been submitted to the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy, utilities and technology 
matters and the 132nd Legislature has adjourned.