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LD 1792

An Act Regarding The Energy Policy Of The State

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Nicole Grohoski

Establishes fair, equitable recovery of post-restructuring stranded costs by electric utilities, with PUC oversight, impacting ratepayers and energy projects.

Signed by Governor
#electricutilities #planning #public-privatepartnerships
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Bill Summary · LD 1792

Summary — LD 1792: "An Act Regarding The Energy Policy of the State"

Status: Signed by Governor (emergency measure) — Enacted 2025-06-20
Introduced: 2025-04-24
Sponsor: Sen. Rebecca Grohoski (Hancock)
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
Key amendments: Committee Amendment “A” (S-357) as amended by Senate Amendment “A” (S-373)
Subjects: Electric utilities, planning, public‑private partnerships; includes a component titled “An Act to Ensure Fair and Equitable Recovery of Post‑restructuring Stranded Costs”

Purpose / Intent

LD 1792 is a broadly framed energy‑policy bill enacted as an emergency measure. A central focus of the enacted language (as reflected in engrossed versions) is to address how utilities recover “post‑restructuring stranded costs” and to establish a framework intended to make that recovery fairer and more equitable. The bill also sits within the state’s broader energy‑planning and public‑private partnership policy area.

Key provisions (high level)

  • Establishes statutory direction regarding recovery of stranded costs that remain after electric restructuring processes. The enacted title explicitly aims for “fair and equitable” recovery mechanisms.
  • Makes changes (through Committee and Senate amendments) that were accepted by both chambers prior to enactment; the final bill is LD 1792 as amended by Committee Amendment “A” (S‑357) and Senate Amendment “A” (S‑373).
  • Assigns or confirms responsibilities for review/implementation to the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and/or other state energy planning bodies (consistent with the bill’s subject areas).
  • Provides for immediate effect by being enacted as an emergency measure (see timeline below), meaning operative provisions take effect upon the governor’s signature unless the statute specifies otherwise.

Note: The publicly available summary materials and fiscal notes describe the bill’s objectives and administrative impacts but do not reproduce the full statutory text. For precise statutory changes, consult the enrolled bill text.

Who is affected

  • Electric utilities and their customers (ratepayers) — through adjusted rules for recovering stranded costs.
  • The Maine Public Utilities Commission — tasked with implementation, oversight, or proceedings related to the recovery mechanism.
  • Potentially private partners and participants in energy projects, because the bill touches on public‑private partnership policy areas.

Fiscal impact

  • Multiple fiscal notes were filed. The final fiscal assessment indicates either no fiscal impact or a minor increase in costs to the Public Utilities Commission, which the PUC can absorb within existing budgeted resources. (Fiscal note approvals dated 06/05/25, 06/11/25, and 06/16/25. One fiscal note specifically references the “Fair and Equitable Recovery” title.)

Legislative and procedural highlights / timeline

  • Referred to Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee on 2025‑04‑24. Work sessions and amendment process occurred in May and June 2025.
  • Committee Amendment “A” (S‑357) and Senate Amendment “A” (S‑373) were adopted; House and Senate concurred.
  • Passed both chambers with roll calls: House 122–26 on 2025‑06‑12; Senate 34–0 (with 1 excused) on 2025‑06‑16. Because it was an emergency measure, a two‑thirds vote was required and was achieved.
  • Signed by the Governor on 2025‑06‑20.

Implementation / next steps

  • The PUC is the likely implementing agency; interested parties should monitor PUC dockets and rulemaking for orders, guidelines, or proceedings that implement the bill’s provisions.
  • To understand exact legal and rate impacts, review the final enrolled bill text and any PUC orders or guidance that follow enactment.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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