generating capacity or energy capacity prohibited

without prior order of the commission

Sec. 5. 35-A MRSA §3133-A, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1995, c. 357, §7, is further amended to read:

2. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms have the following meanings.

A. "Significant agreement or contract" means a contract or other agreement enforceable as a contract that binds the utility to a future course of action with respect to supplying, purchasing, dispatching or exchanging generating capacity, or energy or transmission capacity or any renewal, amendment or extension of any contract or agreement that is for a period of longer than 3 years and involves one of the following, whichever is less:

(1) More than 5,000 kilowatts of electrical generating capacity, or 50,000,000 kilowatt hours or more of energy per year, flowing over a transmission line with a capacity greater than 100 kilovolts;

(2) More than 10% of the generating capacity, transmission capacity or energy generation of the utility; or

(3) More than 1.0% of the total annual kilowatt hour sales of the utility.

SUMMARY

This bill repeals requirements that electric utilities obtain certificates of public convenience and necessity from the Public Utilities Commission before constructing or modifying transmission lines or contracting for transmission line capacity.