This bill adjusts the time frame for the ongoing submission dates for certain reviews and reports required of transmission and distribution utilities and the Public Utilities Commission to align with the integrated grid planning process required pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 3147. The bill requires that, beginning May 1, 2027, and every 5 years thereafter, instead of every 3 years as in current law, a transmission and distribution utility is required to submit a 10-year plan that includes specific actions for addressing the expected effects of climate change on the utility's assets needed to transmit and distribute electricity to its customers. Current law requires the Public Utilities Commission to conduct a review, or contract with a consultant to conduct a review, related to available grid-enhancing technology every
5 years beginning in 2025. The bill adjusts the schedule of reviews by requiring a review in 2027, and then every 5 years thereafter. The review conducted in 2027 must update the
43 review conducted in 2025. The bill also adds language specifying that a review conducted
44 pursuant to this provision of law may update an earlier review.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text LD 1240, HP 815: 35-A.3146, 35-A.3148