35-A ME Rev Stat § 3474 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 3: ELECTRIC POWER|Chapter 34-B: THE MAINE SOLAR ENERGY ACT|35-A §3474. Determination of public policy; state solar energy generation goals

 §3474. Determination of public policy; state solar energy generation goals 1.  Encouragement of solar energy-related development.  It is the policy of the State in furtherance of the goals established in subsection 2 to encourage the attraction of appropriately sited development related to solar energy generation, including any additional transmission, distribution and other energy infrastructure needed to transport additional solar energy to market, consistent with all state environmental standards; the permitting and financing of solar energy projects; appropriate utility rate structures; and the siting, permitting, financing and construction of solar energy research and manufacturing facilities for the benefit of all ratepayers.   [PL 2013, c. 562, §1 (NEW).] 2.  State solar energy generation goals.  When encouraging the development of solar energy generation, the State shall pursue cost-effective developments, policies and programs that advance the following goals:   A. Ensuring that solar electricity generation, along with electricity generation from other renewable energy technologies, meaningfully contributes to the generation capacity of the State through increasing private investment in solar capacity in the State;   [PL 2013, c. 562, §1 (NEW).]B. Ensuring that the production of thermal energy from solar technologies meaningfully contributes to reducing the State's dependence on imported energy sources;   [PL 2013, c. 562, §1 (NEW).]C. Ensuring that the production of electricity from solar energy meaningfully contributes to mitigating more costly transmission and distribution investments otherwise needed for system reliability;   [PL 2013, c. 562, §1 (NEW).]D. Ensuring that solar energy provides energy that benefits all ratepayers regardless of income level;   [PL 2013, c. 562, §1 (NEW).]E. Increasing the number of businesses and residences using solar technology as an energy resource; and   [PL 2013, c. 562, §1 (NEW).]F. Increasing the State's workforce engaged in the manufacturing and installation of solar technology.   [PL 2013, c. 562, §1 (NEW).][PL 2013, c. 562, §1 (NEW).] 3.  Interconnection rules.  The commission shall adopt rules related to the interconnection of renewable capacity resources, as defined in section 3210-C, subsection 1, paragraph E, using solar power to investor-owned transmission and distribution utilities, as defined in section 3201, subsection 11-A, in a manner that supports the goals in this section and ensures:   A. The State's interconnection rules reflect nationally recognized best practices;   [PL 2021, c. 264, §1 (NEW).]B. Customers affected by deficiencies in the rules are able to access timely resolution processes that do not place an undue burden on the customer; and   [PL 2021, c. 264, §1 (NEW).]C. Investments in investor-owned transmission and distribution utility distribution upgrades related to load are coordinated with utility infrastructure upgrades required for the interconnection of renewable capacity resources using solar power.   [PL 2021, c. 264, §1 (NEW).][PL 2021, c. 264, §1 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 2013, c. 562, §1 (NEW). PL 2021, c. 264, §1 (AMD).