121st Maine Legislature
		Office of Fiscal and Program Review
		LD 233
		An Act To Promote Energy Conservation
		LR 0850(02)
		Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by the Committee Amendment " "
		Committee: Utilities and Energy
		Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Undetermined current biennium cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	The additional costs associated with adopting rules to improve energy efficiency in state funded construction can be absorbed by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, the Energy Resources Council and the Public Utilities Commission utilizing existing budgeted resources.  This bill is not a mandate since it applies to buildings built with state funds, including buildings funded through state bonds or the Municipal Bond Bank.  This bill is not expected to have any significant fiscal impact on the current budget and future budgets since any future increased construction costs resulting from adhering to the proposed energy standards will be offset by the energy efficiencies savings achieved over the life of the bond.  Also, the additional costs resulting from the formation of a working group to review current state building standards and report to the Legislature can be absorbed by the Public Utilities Commission and the Energy Resources Council utilizing existing budgeted resources.
	This legislation may increase the construction and planning costs of a State Board of Education funded Major Capital Improvement project such as the construction of a new school or renovations to an existing school.  The potential increase in cost for each project can not be determined at this time.  However, because debt service costs associated with funding school construction projects can not exceed the annual levels established in 20-A MRSA §15905, a decrease in the total number of projects may be required to stay within the spending limits.  If all planned projects are to be undertaken the debt service limit may need to be raised.