|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
129th MAINE LEGISLATURE |
|
|
LD 1494 |
|
LR 1616(02) |
|
|
|
An Act To Reform
Maine's Renewable Portfolio Standard |
|
Fiscal Note for
Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " " |
|
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology |
|
Fiscal Note Required: Yes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Note |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FY 2019-20 |
FY 2020-21 |
Projections FY 2021-22 |
Projections FY 2022-23 |
| Appropriations/Allocations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Special Revenue Funds |
|
$300,000 |
$300,000 |
$300,000 |
$300,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Special Revenue Funds |
|
$300,000 |
$300,000 |
$300,000 |
$300,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Detail
and Notes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The bill directs
the Public Utilities Commission to enter into long term contracts for the
procurement of renewable capacity resources and establishes the evaluative
criteria the PUC must use when awarding the contracts. The PUC has indicated
that certain assessments related to the economic benefits of the contracts
will require the use of an outside consultant. Based on the cost of previous consulting
agreements, the PUC estimates these contracted services would cost $300,000 a
year beginning in fiscal year 2019-20. The PUC is funded by an assessment set
to produce sufficient revenue for the expenditures allocated by the
Legislature for operating the PUC. The
increased allocations in this bill require a corresponding increase in
revenue from the assessment on transmission and distribution utilities. These costs may eventually be passed on to
customers through scheduled rate cases. |
|
The bill also
directs the Governor's Office of Policy and Management and the Future (OPMF)
and the Governor's Energy Office (GEO) to conduct a market assessment study
and an analysis of the opportunities, potential and challenges of meeting the
State's renewable energy goals. Upon request, the PUC may provide technical,
legal and other assistance to the OPMF and GEO as part of the study and may
recover up to $150,000 of the cost of doing so from an additional assessment
on transmission and distribution utilities.
If the PUC's assistance is requested, a financial order for an
additional allocation would be required to allow for the expenditure of the
funds. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|