Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §3307-G is enacted to read:

§3307-G.__Maine Energy Advisory Council

1.__Establishment; functions.__The Maine Energy Advisory Council, referred to in this section as the "council," is established to serve the following functions for the office:

A.__Provide a forum to discuss current energy issues;

B.__Act in an advisory role in the formulation of appropriate policy and recommendations in the areas of the development and conduct of energy education and conservation programs;

C.__Develop positions on energy facility siting;

D.__Contribute to the discussion of environmental consequences of energy decisions; and

E.__Provide an advisory role for plans and programs to implement new electricity conservation, research and development programs.

2.__Administration and composition. The office shall administer and determine the composition of the council.

3.__Staffing.__The Department of Economic and Community Development shall provide an energy education coordinator from the Office of Business Development energy conservation program to staff the council.__The energy education coodinator's primary responsibility is energy education for conservation and consumer choice.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes the Maine Energy Advisory Council, which will advise and make recommendations to the State Planning Office concerning energy issues.