Resolve, to Establish a Commission to Study Pathways for Creating
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1619
Sponsors: RUNTE

Legislative Document
No. 1619
H.P. 1073
House of Representatives, April 15, 2025
Resolve, to Establish a Commission to Study Pathways for Creating 
a Thermal Energy Networks Program in Maine
Received by the Clerk of the House on April 11, 2025.  Referred to the Committee on 
Energy, Utilities and Technology pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to 
Joint Rule 401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative RUNTE of York.
Cosponsored by Representative: MCINTYRE of Lowell.
Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: That the Commission to Study 
Pathways for Creating a Thermal Energy Networks Program in Maine, referred to in this 
resolve as "the commission," is established.
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the commission consists of 13 members as follows:
1. Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, including a 
member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature;
2. Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House, including a member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats 
in the Legislature;
3. Three public members, appointed by the President of the Senate, including:
A. One member who is a member of a labor organization;
B. One member who is a member of an environmental organization; and
C. One member who is a member of an organization with the capability and expertise 
to develop and operate a thermal energy network;
4. Three public members, appointed by the Speaker of the House, including:
A. One member who is an engineer with expertise in developing thermal energy 
networks;
B. One member who has professional expertise in conducting research regarding the 
deployment of thermal energy networks; and
C. One member with expertise in workforce development and the construction 
industry;
5. One member representing the Office of the Governor;
6. One member representing the Public Utilities Commission; and
7. One member representing the Office of the Public Advocate.
Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate chair 
and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the 
commission.
Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of commission; meetings. Resolved: That 
all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this 
resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative 
Council once all appointments have been completed. After appointment of all members, 
the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission. If 30 days or more 
after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been 
made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority for 
the commission to meet and conduct its business. The commission is authorized to meet up 
to 6 times prior to submission of the report required under section 7.
Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall:
1. Review available research, framework, pilot projects and other information on the 
total cost, cost savings and efficiencies realized in thermal energy networks across the 
country;
2. Assess the feasibility and applicability of thermal energy networks for residential, 
commercial and industrial sectors in Maine, including by reviewing:
A. Geophysical considerations;
B. Compatibility with incumbent air source heat pumps and other heating, ventilating 
and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems;
C. Permitting and right-of-way considerations;
D. Constraints around geographic density; and
E. Other considerations that demonstrate the total building heating and cooling load 
potential of thermal energy networks;
3. Examine and recommend a process for facilitating and encouraging thermal energy 
network pilot projects, including ownership structures and cost recovery mechanisms;
4. Examine life-cycle costs and benefits, including comparisons to incumbent heating 
and cooling technologies;
5. Examine potential grid impacts, such as smoothing winter and summer peaks and 
lowering system costs by avoiding or deferring investments in additional electrical 
generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure;
6. Examine the suitability of thermal energy network technology for helping to meet 
this State's statutory emissions reduction goals;
7. Identify and consider the labor and workforce needs associated with developing 
thermal energy networks in the State, including consideration of job quality, supplying a 
skilled and ready workforce, licensing, registered apprenticeship and certified 
preapprenticeship program;
8. Investigate and evaluate funding opportunities and cost recovery mechanisms, 
including, but not limited to:
A. Leveraging applicable tax credits available under the federal Inflation Reduction 
Act of 2022 and other federal assistance;
B. Funding from the multistate program, the New England Heat Pump Accelerator;
C. The Thermal Energy Investment Program established in the Maine Revised Statutes, 
Title 35-A, section 10128; and
D. Rebates for heat pumps through the Efficiency Maine Trust; and
9. Examine the role thermal energy networks can play in increasing the affordability 
of housing, development and energy.
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the commission, except that Legislative Council staff support 
is not authorized when the Legislature is in regular or special session.
Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 3, 2025, the commission 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology. The joint 
standing committee may report out a bill based upon the report to the Second Regular 
Session of the 132nd Legislature.
SUMMARY
This resolve establishes the Commission to Study Pathways for Creating a Thermal 
Energy Networks Program in Maine. The commission is composed of legislators and public 
members, including, but not limited to, members with experience in engineering, research 
in the fields of thermal energy network development and workforce development. 
The resolve requires the commission to study the feasibility of implementing thermal 
energy networks for residential, commercial and industrial sectors in this State by 
examining a number of considerations, including, but not limited to, compatibility with 
existing systems, certain legal considerations, grid impacts, labor and workforce 
considerations and funding opportunities. 
The commission must submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Joint 
Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology by December 3, 2025. The 
committee may report out legislation related to the report to the Second Regular Session of 
the 132nd Legislature.