Resolve, To Study Transmission Grid Reliability and Rate Stability in Northern Maine

Sec. 1. Convene stakeholder group. Resolved: That the Governor's Energy Office shall convene a stakeholder group to identify and develop strategies to address the transmission grid reliability and electric rate stability for the northern Maine service territory. The stakeholder group must consist of representatives of:

1. The Governor's Energy Office;

2. The Public Utilities Commission;

3. The Office of the Public Advocate;

4. The Northern Maine Independent System Administrator;

5. A municipal government in northern Maine;

6. A large industrial electric utility customer located in northern Maine;

7. A trade association representing businesses located in northern Maine;

8. A trade association representing the forest products industry;

9. An investor-owned transmission and distribution utility serving northern Maine;

10. Two different consumer-owned transmission and distribution utilities located in northern Maine; and

11. An energy generator located in northern Maine.

Sec. 2. Review and recommendations. Resolved: That, in its review of transmission grid reliability and electric rate stability for the northern Maine service territory, the stakeholder group convened pursuant to section 1 shall, at minimum, address and develop recommendations concerning:

1. The continued need to assess reliability in the northern Maine service territory;

2. The shutdown of biomass plants in the region, such as those in Fort Fairfield and Ashland, that have in the past been essential to addressing reliability concerns;

3. The region's fuel security, competitive supply and rate volatility resulting from its reliance on generation resources in the region; and

4. Opportunities for transmission and nontransmission alternatives to address the current and projected reliability and rate stability needs of the region.

Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That, no later than March 1, 2020, the stakeholder group shall submit to the Governor's Energy Office a report establishing the scope and priority of transmission grid reliability and electric rate stability issues for the northern Maine service territory, together with recommendations. The report must address the concerns identified in section 2 and recommend strategies that respond to those issues, including any recommended changes to the law or to the rules of the Public Utilities Commission. The Governor's Energy Office shall submit the report, together with any proposed implementing legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology. Upon receipt and review of the report, the joint standing committee may report out a bill related to the report to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.