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LD 1777

An Act To Clarify Tariff Rates For Nonresidential Customers Participating In Net Energy Billing With A Distributed Generation Resource

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Steven Foster and 1 co-sponsor

Clarifies which tariff rates apply to nonresidential NEB customers with distributed generation, reducing confusion, costs, and boosting protections.

Signed by Governor
#electricutilities #netenergybilling #rates
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Bill Summary · LD 1777

Summary — LD 1777 (2025)

Title: An Act To Clarify Tariff Rates For Nonresidential Customers Participating In Net Energy Billing With A Distributed Generation Resource
Status: Signed by Governor (June 27, 2025)
Introduced: April 24, 2025
Subjects: Electric utilities, net energy billing (NEB), rates

Purpose / Intent

LD 1777 is designed to clarify how tariff rates apply to nonresidential customers who participate in Maine’s net energy billing programs with a distributed generation (DG) resource. The bill aims to remove ambiguity about applicable tariffs for these customers and—according to the engrossed version title—also to reduce costs and increase customer protections within the State’s NEB programs.

Key provisions (as reflected in legislative documents)

  • Clarifies which tariff rates apply to nonresidential customers participating in net energy billing with a distributed generation resource. (Legislative text not included in the provided documents; summary reflects bill title and related actions.)
  • Authorizes the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) to request reimbursement from the Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) Other Special Revenue Funds for costs the GEO incurs in developing the distributed energy resource program.
  • Includes committee and senate amendments (Committee Amendment H‑756 and Senate Amendment S‑439) that were adopted during legislative consideration.

Note: The specific statutory wording that defines how tariffs change (for example, treatment of exported energy, demand/ fixed charges, or allocation rules) is not included in the documents provided.

Who is affected

  • Nonresidential (business/industrial/commercial) customers participating in NEB with a distributed generation resource — primary intended beneficiaries of the tariff clarifications.
  • Owners/operators of distributed generation resources connected under NEB.
  • Regulated utilities — potentially impacted if PUC assessments are adjusted to maintain fund balances.
  • Public Utilities Commission and Governor’s Energy Office — administrative responsibilities and cost-recovery mechanisms affected.
  • Ratepayers generally, if utility assessments are passed through to customers.

Fiscal impact

  • Multiple fiscal notes (approved 06/06/25, 06/17–06/18/25) indicate:
    • Potential increase in costs and matching revenue in the current biennium to PUC Other Special Revenue Funds if GEO requests reimbursements for program development.
    • Depending on timing and magnitude of reimbursement requests, the PUC may need to assess additional amounts on regulated utilities to maintain fund balances; such assessments would increase Other Special Revenue Funds revenue and authorize corresponding reimbursements.
    • Some amendments reported only a minor, absorbable cost increase within existing PUC resources.

Legislative history / timeline

  • Referred to Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology: April 24, 2025
  • Work sessions, divided report, and committee amendment H‑756 considered in May–June 2025
  • Committee Amendment H‑756 and Senate Amendment S‑439 adopted; passed both chambers (House roll call 633: Yeas 20, Nays 14, Excused 1)
  • Passed to be enacted (June 18, 2025)
  • Signed by Governor: June 27, 2025

Notes / limitations

The provided materials do not include the bill’s full text. This summary is based on the bill title, fiscal notes, and legislative actions. For precise operational details (exact tariff treatments, definitions, effective dates, and regulatory directives), consult the enacted bill text and implementing PUC rules.

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

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