Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §3302, sub-§§1 and 2, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6, are amended to read:

1. Encourage development. Encourage the development of energy producing systems using renewable resources;, particularly abundant, indigenous, renewable resources or resources in close proximity to Maine; and

2. Promote existing use. Promote the more efficient use of existing energy systems particularly, through the cogeneration of power.; and

Sec. 2. 35-A MRSA §3302, sub-§3 is enacted to read:

3.__Meet goals.__Require that the commission ensure that the goals of this section will be met following the restructuring of the electric utility industry by:

A.__Proposing market rules and transmission pricing policies and practices at the regional and federal levels that encourage the generation and sale of electricity from the State's renewable power producers and cogenerators;

B.__Opposing market rules and proposed transmission pricing policies and practices that place the State's renewable power producers and cogenerators at a competitive disadvantage compared with nonrenewable power generators; and

C.__Implementing the State's electric industry restructuring laws and other provisions of this Title in a manner that promotes generation of electricity from the State's indigenous renewable resources and cogeneration.

SUMMARY

The State's small power production and cogeneration laws clarify the Legislature's intent to encourage the development and promote the use of the State's renewable energy resources to generate electricity for fuel diversity and economic and environmental benefits. This bill charges the Public Utilities Commission with carrying out the Legislature's intent in positions the commission takes at regional and federal forums and as the commission implements the State's electric industry restructuring laws.