An Act To Allow Certain Distributed Energy Resources To Participate In The State'S Net Energy Billing Program

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mark Babin and 2 co-sponsors

LD 1860 would allow certain distributed energy resources (DERs) to participate in Maine's Net Energy Billing program, expanding NEB credits for more solar/storage energy.

Placed in the Legislative Files. (DEAD)

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Summary of LD 1860 – An Act To Allow Certain Distributed Energy Resources To Participate In The State's Net Energy Billing Program

Overview

Bill Number: LD 1860

Title: An Act To Allow Certain Distributed Energy Resources To Participate In The State's Net Energy Billing Program

Introduced: May 1, 2025

Status: Placed in the Legislative Files. (DEAD)

Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology

Fiscal Note: Approved June 4, 2025; describes a minor cost increase and that the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) could absorb any implementation costs within existing resources

Purpose and intent

The bill is intended to expand Maine’s Net Energy Billing (NEB) program by allowing certain distributed energy resources (DERs) to participate.

The general aim is to broaden the set of technologies and resources that can receive NEB credits or compensation for energy produced or managed, thereby supporting distributed generation and/or storage as part of the state’s energy policy. Specific eligibility criteria and participation details are not provided in the available materials.

Key provisions (as described in available materials)

Authorizes participation of certain distributed energy resources in the state’s Net Energy Billing program.

The precise eligibility requirements, measurement, compensation structure, enrollment processes, and program rules are not detailed in the summary provided; these would be governed by bill text or subsequent rulemaking.

Fiscal impact is characterized as a minor cost increase to implement the provisions, with any additional PUC costs absorbable within existing resources.

Affected parties and stakeholders

Distributed energy resource owners and operators (e.g., entities with solar, storage, or other DERs that could qualify under NEB)

Public Utilities Commission (PUC), which would administer/oversee program implementation

Electric utilities and ratepayers participating in or impacted by NEB

Potentially developers and customers seeking to participate in NEB via DERs

Procedural history and timeline

May 1, 2025: Referred to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology upon introduction.

May 13, 2025: Work Session held; bill TABLED.

May 29, 2025: Work Session; voted Divided Report.

June 11, 2025: Reported Out – ONTP/OTP-AM (scheduling for further action).

June 12, 2025: Majority “Ought Not To Pass” action; Report accepted; placed in the Legislative Files; (DEAD) status.

Fiscal Note approved June 4, 2025.

Practical implications

If enacted (in other contexts), the bill could enable more DERs to participate in NEB, potentially increasing the number of participants and the volume of energy or capacity credited under NEB.

Given the dead status, there is no current pathway for enactment in the Legislature in its present form, but future proposals could revisit similar concepts with revised provisions.

Note: The available materials do not include the full text of LD 1860, so specific eligibility criteria, program mechanics, and compensation details are not enumerated here.