129th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 1711 LR 1803(04)
An Act To Promote Solar Energy Projects and Distributed Generation Resources in Maine
Fiscal Note for Bill as Engrossed with:
C "A" (S-295)
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
             
Fiscal Note
FY 2019-20 FY 2020-21 Projections  FY 2021-22 Projections  FY 2022-23
Appropriations/Allocations
Other Special Revenue Funds $734,983 $851,658 $863,576 $875,825
Revenue
Other Special Revenue Funds $734,983 $851,658 $863,576 $875,826
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill makes changes to the laws regarding net energy billing, adds additional reporting requirements for the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and creates requirements for the procurement of distributed generation resources.  The PUC has indicated that the changes to net energy billing rules and distributed generation requirements of the bill will require additional staff and resources to complete.  This bill includes Other Special Revenue Funds allocations of $334,983 in fiscal year 2019-20 and $451,658 in fiscal year 2020-21 for two Utility Analyst positions, one Staff Attorney position and associated position costs.  The bill also includes ongoing allocations of $400,000 beginning in fiscal year 2019-20 for contracted consulting services.   
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.