This bill eliminates the Governor's Energy Office, creates a new cabinet-level Department of Energy Resources and transfers the functions of the Governor's Energy Office to the new department. The Department of Energy Resources has responsibility for oversight of state energy policies, programs and development efforts, is the designated state energy office and is directed to assess energy supply and infrastructure needs while aligning with the State's greenhouse gas reduction targets. The department also administers the Distributed Solar and Energy Storage Program and the Maine Energy Resources Development Program and coordinates state energy policy and actively fosters cooperation with the Efficiency Maine Trust. The bill establishes a process for the conduct of competitive solicitations by the department. The Commissioner of Energy Resources is appointed by the Governor and is responsible for developing and implementing the comprehensive state energy plan, overseeing energy efficiency efforts and supporting renewable energy goals, including reducing energy costs, increasing renewable energy capacity and lowering oil dependence. The bill establishes the salary range of the commissioner and deputy commissioner, adds the commissioner as a nonvoting member of the board of directors of the Maine Technology Institute and authorizes the commissioner to act as a representative of the State in the regional greenhouse gas initiative. The bill also amends the membership of the Maine State Housing Authority to require that one of the commissioners have expertise in the sustainability requirements for construction projects funded by the authority and amends the at-large membership of the Finance Authority of Maine to require that one of the members be knowledgeable in the field of clean energy finance or technology solutions to climate change. The bill requires the Department of Energy Resources to work with the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy, utilities and technology matters and staff from the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis and the Office of the Revisor of Statutes to develop legislation to effect the transition of responsibilities from the Governor's Energy Office to the Department of Energy Resources.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text LD 1270, HP 845: 2.6, 2.9, 5.15302, 30-A.4723, 38.579