Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

APPROVED               CHAPTER
                                                              MARCH 19, 2024                553
                                                              BY GOVERNOR             PUBLIC LAW
                                STATE OF MAINE
                                         _____
                         IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
                      TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FOUR
                                         _____
                                 S.P. 257 - L.D. 589
An Act to Ensure That the Maine Electric Grid Provides Additional Benefits
                          to Maine Ratepayers
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
    Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §3148 is enacted to read:
§3148. Periodic review of grid-enhancing technology
    1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the
following terms have the following meanings.
    A. "Grid-enhancing technology" means any hardware or software technology that
    enables enhanced or more efficient flow of electricity across the existing electric
    transmission and distribution system. "Grid-enhancing technology" does not include
    generation assets or energy storage.
    B. "Large investor-owned transmission and distribution utility" has the same meaning
    as in section 3201, subsection 12.
    2. Periodic review. Beginning January 15, 2025, and every 5 years thereafter, the
commission shall conduct a review or contract with a consultant to conduct a review of
available grid-enhancing technology that could be implemented by a large investor-owned
transmission and distribution utility to reduce or defer the need for investment in grid
infrastructure in the State. The commission may produce a report or contract with a
consultant to produce a report describing the grid-enhancing technology identified in the
review. The commission may file information or the report for use in rate cases or other
proceedings involving a large investor-owned transmission and distribution utility,
including the integrated grid planning proceeding required pursuant to section 3147,
subsection 2.
    Sec. 2. 35-A MRSA §3802, sub-§1-A is enacted to read:
    1-A. Beneficial load. "Beneficial load" means:
    A. An increase in electric load that is consistent with the principles of beneficial
    electrification; or
                                  Page 1 - 131LR1954(03)
    B. The excess electrical capacity within the grid, the use of which is consistent with
    beneficial electrification and, when feasible, avoids the need for significant investment
    in or expenditures for additional grid infrastructure.
"Beneficial load" includes electric load that is used to reduce peak demand or shift the
demand to lower cost time periods.
    Sec. 3. 35-A MRSA §3803, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2023, c. 328, §1, is amended
to read:
    2. Plan for promoting beneficial electrification for end uses of energy. The trust
shall develop a 3-year beneficial electrification plan for end uses of energy as part of the
trust's triennial plan in accordance with section 10104, subsection 4 and provide annual
updates to the plan in accordance with section 10104, subsection 6. In developing its
beneficial electrification plan for end uses, the trust shall consult with relevant departments
and agencies.
    A. In developing its beneficial electrification plan for end uses that promotes beneficial
    electrification, the trust shall:
           (1) Consult with relevant departments and agencies;
           (2) Consider incentivizing the appropriate placement of and promoting
           commercial or industrial beneficial load; and
           (3) Integrate the ongoing energy planning efforts of the office as appropriate.
    B. In developing its beneficial electrification plan under this subsection, the trust shall
    consider:
           (1)      Incorporating the assumptions and advancing the findings and
           recommendations of the office in its "Maine Energy Plan: Pathway to 2040" study
           launched in August 2023, part of the comprehensive state energy plan required by
           Title 2, section 9, subsection 3, paragraph C;
           (2) Whether, in order to enable more efficient generation and transmission
           planning, a certain type or location of electric load is beneficial load;
           (3) Integrating with and informing the commission's consideration of grid planning
           priorities pursuant to section 3147; and
           (4) Seeking input from transmission and distribution utilities and relevant agencies
           and organizations in the State.
    Sec. 4. Efficiency Maine Trust beneficial electrification update. By February
1, 2025, the trust shall provide a written update on its beneficial electrification planning as
well as any recommendations, which may include proposed legislation, to improve its
planning activities or to advance beneficial electrification, as defined in the Maine Revised
Statutes, Title 35-A, section 3802, subsection 1, and siting of beneficial load, as defined in
Title 35-A, section 3802, subsection 1-A, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature
having jurisdiction over energy matters. The committee may report out a bill related to
beneficial electrification or the trust's recommendations to the 132nd Legislature in 2025.
    Sec. 5. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and
allocations are made.
                                      Page 2 - 131LR1954(03)
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Public Utilities - Administrative Division 0184
Initiative: Provides one-time funding for contracted consulting services.
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS                                     2023-24         2024-25
 All Other                                                           $0        $102,100
                                                             __________     __________
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL                                    $0        $102,100
                                   Page 3 - 131LR1954(03)
Statutes affected: 
Bill Text ACTPUB , Chapter 553: 35-A.3803