Resolve, to Capitalize on Opportunities from Newly Revised Federal Renewable Fuels Standards by Studying the Environmental and Economic Benefits of Electric and Steam Generation Facilities Powered by Biomass
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1489
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
Sponsors: THERIAULT, BABIN

Legislative Document
No. 1489
H.P. 944
House of Representatives, April 5, 2023
Resolve, to Capitalize on Opportunities from Newly Revised Federal 
Renewable Fuels Standards by Studying the Environmental and 
Economic Benefits of Electric and Steam Generation Facilities 
Powered by Biomass
Reference to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative THERIAULT of Fort Kent.
Cosponsored by Representative: BABIN of Fort Fairfield.
Sec. 1.  Study of biomass-powered combined heat and power facilities.  
Resolved:  That the Public Utilities Commission shall undertake or contract with 
appropriate experts for a study of the environmental and economic benefits of electric and 
steam generation facilities powered by biomass, referred to in this section as "CHP 
facilities." The study must examine the benefits resulting from 20 megawatts, 40 megawatts 
and 60 megawatts, respectively, of electric generation, capacity and thermal energy from 
CHP facilities. The study must examine, at a minimum, the potential benefits of CHP 
facilities related to:
A.  Qualifying for renewable energy credits for electricity and thermal energy from 
federal agencies;
B.  Meeting base load supply, capacity and reliability needs of the electric grid;
C.  The potential for supporting integrated infrastructures that support carbon 
sequestration and district heating, produce biofuels, such as biodiesel, jet fuel and home 
heating oil, and service other industrial or commercial enterprises that could 
productively use the steam or electricity produced by CHP facilities;
D.  Converting forest and lumber mill residuals into usable electricity and steam;
E.  Processing residuals for the production of biochar and graphene and supporting the 
capture of carbon dioxide;
F.  The potential for improving rural economies, including benefits from the effects on 
local tax revenues and through the creation of forest-related jobs; and
G.  Reducing carbon emissions from the transportation of biomass and displacement 
of fossil fuel generation facilities.
The study must also include a full life-cycle analysis of carbon and other greenhouse 
gas emissions resulting from CHP facilities as compared with those resulting from electric 
generation systems that rely on other renewable resources and systems that rely on fossil 
fuels.
Sec. 2.  Review and report.  Resolved:  That the Public Utilities Commission shall 
ensure that the results of the study under section 1 are peer-reviewed and shall submit a 
final report of the results of the study to the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities 
and Technology by February 1, 2024. The committee may report out a bill to the Second 
Regular Session of the 131st Legislature related to the subject matter of the report.
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Public Utilities Commission to undertake or contract with 
appropriate experts for a study of the environmental and economic benefits of electric and 
steam generation facilities powered by biomass. The study must examine the benefits 
resulting from 20 megawatts, 40 megawatts and 60 megawatts, respectively, of electric 
generation, capacity and thermal energy from such facilities. The commission is required 
to ensure that the study results are peer-reviewed and to submit a final report of the results 
of the study to the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology by 
February 1, 2024. The committee is authorized to report out a bill to the Second Regular 
Session of the 131st Legislature related to the subject matter of the report.