§4701-A. Renewably sourced gas; authorized with commission approval
1.
Definition.
For the purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following term has the following meaning.
A.
"Renewably sourced gas" means gas that the commission finds has been processed to meet pipeline, equipment and appliance quality standards to blend with or substitute for geologically derived natural gas and may include gas that:
[PL 2023, c. 222, §4 (NEW).]
(1)
Is produced by anaerobic digestion or gasification of agricultural waste, dairy or animal residual materials or landfill biomass material;
(2)
Is produced by wastewater treatment or other waste processes; or
(3)
Has a lower carbon content than natural gas, including but not limited to hydrogen gas.
[PL 2023, c. 222, §4 (NEW).]
2.
Renewably sourced gas.
Any gas utility may be authorized, subject to commission approval in accordance with subsection 3, to buy, sell, furnish, transport, store, distribute, dispose of or otherwise deal in renewably sourced gas with the same rights, privileges and limitations conferred or imposed upon it with respect to geologically or conventionally sourced natural gas and within the same territorial limitations within which it is authorized to deal in manufactured gas.
[PL 2023, c. 222, §4 (NEW).]
3.
Commission approval.
A gas utility may petition the commission to utilize renewably sourced gas in accordance with subsection 2. The commission may authorize the use of renewably sourced gas upon a finding that:
A.
The gas utility will utilize the renewably sourced gas in a manner that is safe and reliable;
[PL 2023, c. 222, §4 (NEW).]
B.
The renewably sourced gas will be provided to customers at a just and reasonable rate; and
[PL 2023, c. 222, §4 (NEW).]
C.
Granting the authorization may reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help to meet the greenhouse gas emissions reduction levels set forth in Title 38, section 576‑A.
[PL 2023, c. 222, §4 (NEW).]
[PL 2023, c. 222, §4 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2023, c. 222, §4 (NEW).