LD 352
pg. 2
Page 1 of 3 An Act To Encourage Energy Efficiency and Security Page 3 of 3
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LR 1680
Item 1

 
A. Financial and other incentives for transmission and
distribution utilities or their customers that may support
the goals of this section;

 
B. The impact of achieving the goals of this section on
the revenues and rates of return of transmission and
distribution utilities;

 
C. Methods available pursuant to sections 3195 and 3211-A
to accomplish the purposes of this section;

 
D. The impact of achieving the goals of this section on
transmission and distribution utility rate levels and rate
stability; and

 
E. The impact of electricity generation and consumption on
air and water quality.

 
By December 1, 2003, the commission shall submit a report of
the results of its investigation under this subsection to the
joint standing committee of the Legislature having
jurisdiction over utilities and energy matters.

 
Sec. 4. 35-A MRSA §3211-A, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 624, §4,
is amended by amending the first paragraph to read:

 
2. Programs. The commission shall develop and, to the
extent of available funds, implement conservation programs in
accordance with this section. The commission shall establish
and, on a schedule determined by the commission, revise
objectives and an overall energy strategy for conservation
programs. Conservation programs implemented by the commission
must be consistent with the objectives and an overall energy
strategy developed by the commission and be cost effective, as
defined by the commission by rule or order. In defining "cost
effective," the commission may consider the extent to which a
program promotes sustainable economic development or reduces
environmental damage to the extent the commission can quantify
or otherwise reasonably identify such effects. Consistent
with the other requirements of this section, the commission,
in adopting and implementing conservation programs, shall seek
to encourage efficiency in electricity use, provide incentives
for the development of new, energy-efficient business activity
in the State and take into account the costs and benefits of
energy efficiency and conservation to existing business
activity in the State.

 
SUMMARY

 
This bill directs the Public Utilities Commission, in
determining transmission and distribution utility rates or in


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