Resolve, to Reduce the Cost of Energy in Maine and Further Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Through Energy Contracts

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132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST SPECIAL SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 1251
H.P. 826 House of Representatives, March 25, 2025
Resolve, to Reduce the Cost of Energy in Maine and Further Reduce
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Through Energy Contracts
Reference to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology suggested and ordered
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative WADSWORTH of Hiram.
Cosponsored by Representatives: FOSTER of Dexter, FREDETTE of Newport, MCINTYRE
of Lowell, MORRIS of Turner.

Page 1 - 132LR1625(01)
1Sec. 1. Requests for information; negotiation of terms by Public Utilities
2Commission. Resolved: That the Public Utilities Commission, after consultation with
3 the Office of the Public Advocate, the Governor's Energy Office and the Efficiency Maine
4 Trust, shall:
5 1. Issue a request for information to appropriate stakeholders, organizations or other
6 entities identified by the commission for the following information:
7 A. Whether there are any reasonable opportunities for the commission to explore and
8 consider engaging in the execution of an energy cost reduction contract or a physical
9 energy storage contract in accordance with the principles of beneficial electrification
10 and the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, chapter 19; and
11 B. Identification of existing and near-term replacement energy sources for natural gas
12 in commercial and industrial uses, including when the replacement energy sources are
13 expected to be available, the cost of those replacement energy sources and the steps
14 needed to develop a cost-effective and reliable supply of such replacement energy
15 sources; and
16 2. Contact every gas utility and natural gas pipeline utility in the State and every state
17 or province adjacent to this State to negotiate favorable terms for one or more energy cost
18 reduction contracts, physical energy storage contracts or such other arrangements as the
19 commission may find necessary or appropriate to reduce the costs of energy in the State
20 and to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
21 By December 3, 2025, the Public Utilities Commission shall submit a report to the
22 Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology that includes a summary of
23 the responses the commission received from its request for information under subsection
24 1, any actions the commission has taken, if any, as a result of the information submitted by
25 respondents to the commission's request for information and a summary of actions taken
26 by the commission under subsection 2. The committee may report out a bill relating to the
27 report to the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature.
28SUMMARY
29 This resolve requires the Public Utilities Commission to:
30 1. Issue a request for information after consultation with the Office of the Public
31 Advocate, the Governor's Energy Office and the Efficiency Maine Trust regarding
32 reasonable opportunities for the commission to explore and consider engaging in the
33 execution of an energy cost reduction contract or a physical energy storage contract. The
34 commission's request for information must also seek identification of existing and
35 near-term replacement energy sources for natural gas in commercial and industrial uses,
36 including when the replacement energy sources are expected to be available, the cost of
37 those replacement energy sources and the steps needed to develop a cost-effective and
38 reliable supply of such replacement energy sources; and
39 2. Contact every gas utility and natural gas pipeline utility in the State and every state
40 or province adjacent to this State to negotiate favorable terms for one or more energy cost
41 reduction contracts, physical energy storage contracts or such other arrangements as the
42 commission may find necessary or appropriate to reduce the costs of energy in the State
43 and to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
29
Page 2 - 132LR1625(01)
1 The commission must submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Energy,
2 Utilities and Technology by December 3, 2025 that includes a summary of the responses
3 the commission received from its request for information, any actions taken by the
4 commission as a result of the information received and a summary of actions taken by the
5 commission to negotiate favorable terms for one or more energy cost reduction contracts,
6 physical energy storage contracts or other arrangements.