Resolve, to Direct the
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 0300
Committee Amendment CA_A_H201 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT «/\ jj to H.P. 200, L.D. 300, "Resolve, to Direct the 
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Public Utilities Commission to Study Expanding the Use of Hydroelectric Power and the 
Development of a Geothermal Power Plant in the State" 
Amend the resolve by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
D 
'Resolve, to Direct the Governor's Energy Office to Study Expanding the Use of 
Hydroelectric Power and the Development of a Geothermal Power Plant in the State' 
Amend the resolve by striking out everything after the title arid inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. Governor's Energy Office to conduct studies. Resolved: That the 
Governor's Energy Office, referred to in this resolve as 
11the office,
shall conduct studies 
as directed by this resolve in consultation with the Pubiic Utilities Commission, the 
Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Defense, Veterans and 
Emergency Management, Maine Emergency Management Agency to support the 
development of a balanced portfolio of energy sources in the State. 
Sec. 2. Study; hydroelectric power facilities and energy storage. Resolved: 
That the office shall conduct a study reviewing the current operation of and opportunities 
for the expansion of hydroelectric power and energy storage in the State for the purpose of 
evaluating methods to revitalize the hydroelectric power industry while taking into 
consideration the greenhouse gas emissions associated with such generation and storage. 
In conducting this study, the office shall: 
1. Review the findings of any previous studies of hydroelectric power facilities in the 
State, including, but not limited'to, the February 2015 report prepared for the office and • 
titled "Maine Hydropower Study,
to identify dam sites within the State that have the 
greatest potential to be efficiently expanded or upgraded; 
2. Review new technologies being used in hydroelectric power facilities in other states 
and evaluate whether those technologies could be used in this State to improve or expand 
the hydroelectric power industry through the expansion or upgrading of the dam sites 
identified under subsection 1. In carrying out this review, the office shall consult with at· 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
ROS 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A' to H.P. 200, L.D: 300 
least one hydroelectric power facility in Alaska and at least one hydroelectric power facility 
in each of 2 other states that the office detennines has similar geographic and topographical 
characteristics to Mai:qe; and 
3. Identify locations within the State that may be suitable for the development of 
pumped storage hydropower systems be:cause of geographic, technical and economic 
factors and evaluate the existing barriers to establishing such l;iydroelectric energy. storage 
systems. 
. Sec. 3. Study; geothermal systems. Resolved: That the office siian coilduct a 
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study for the purpose of evaluating the potential for the development of a geothermal pb~er 
plant or other geothennal power plant generation system or space heating and cooling 
system in this State based on an assessment of geographic; technical and economic factors. 
For the p1µ1Joses of this resolve, "geothermal power plant" means a power plant that uses 
heat from the earth to generate electricity or thermal energy· for heating or cooling. The 
study must summarize research and analysis of opportunities for the development of 
geothermal systems in the State while taking into consideration the greenhouse gas 
emissions associated with such systems. The office is not required to include specific cost 
data or a technical economic assessment of individual sites in the study. In conducting this 
study, the office shall: 
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1. Consult with persons with expertise in the geologic engineering field, including 
persons employed by State Government or Federal Government, regarding the feasibility 
of establishing a. geothermal power plant in the State. Using the existing resources of the 
office, the office may seek a formal opinion or report from such persons. If the office 
concludes, as a result of the office's consultation, that a geothermal power plant could be 
developed in the State in a cost-effective way, as determined by the office, the office shall 
develop recommendations for the development of a geothermal power plant in the State; 
and 
2. Assess the potential for developing district geothermal systems: 
• A. On brownfield sites in the State, as determined by the office in consultation with the 
Department of Environmental Protection; and 
B. At state-owned facilities or on state-owned properties. 
Sec. 4. Reports. Resolved: That, no later than January.15, 2027, the office shall 
submit a report based on each study under this resolve, including any recommendations, to 
the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy matters. 
The joint standing committee may report out legislation related to the reports to the 133rd 
Legislature in 2027.' 
Amend the resolve by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
• 
This amendment replaces the resolve and changes the title. The amendment requires 
the Governor's Energy Office to conduct studies in consultation with the Public Utilities 
Commission, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Maine Emergency 
Management Agency within the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency 
Management. 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
.ROS 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 200, L.D. 300 
The amendment directs the office to conduct a study reviewing the current operation 
of and opportunities for the expansion of hydroelectric power and. energy storage in the 
State for the purpose of evaluating methods to revitalize the hydroelectric power industry. 
The study must include a review of findings of any previous studies of hydroelectric power 
facilities in this State; a review of new technologies being used in hydroelectt·ic power 
facilities; consultation with hydroelectric power facilities in 3 other states; and 
identification of locations in the State that may be suitable for the development of pumped 
storage hydropower systems. 
The amendment directs the office to conduct a study for the purpose of evaluating the 
potential for the development of a geothermal power plant or other geothennal power 
generation system or space heating and cooling system in the State. In conducting the study, 
the office must consult with persons with expertise in the geologic engineering field 
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regarding the feasibility of establishing a geothermal power plant in the State and must 
assess the potential for developing district geothermal systems on brownfield sites or state-
owned properties or at state-owned facilities. 
The office must submit reports based on both studies to the joint standing committee 
of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy matters by January 15, 2027. Both studies 
must take into consideration the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the generation 
and storage of energy sources. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/30/25 LRL 
LD300 
LR 481(02) 
Resolve, to Direct the Public Utilities Commission to Study Expanding the Use of Hydroelectric Power 
and the Development of a Geothermal Power Plant in the State 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 'J!f {H-zo0 
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Minor cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Any additional costs to the agencies referenced in this bill resulting from its provisions are anticipated to be minr 
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can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources 
LR0481 (02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1