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LD 204

An Act To Reduce The Cost Of Electricity By Removing The 100-Megawatt Limit On Renewable Resources Of Energy

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Russell Black and 5 co-sponsors

LD 204 removes the 100 MW cap, letting larger hydro count toward Maine's RPS and possibly lower electricity costs for ratepayers; the bill died in committee.

Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
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Bill Summary · LD 204

Summary of LD 204 (An Act To Reduce The Cost Of Electricity By Removing The 100-megawatt Limit On Renewable Resources Of Energy)

Overview

  • Bill number and title: LD 204, An Act To Reduce The Cost Of Electricity By Removing The 100-megawatt Limit On Renewable Resources Of Energy
  • Introduced: January 14, 2025
  • Sponsor: Sen. Timberlake (Androscoggin)
  • Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
  • Status: Dead in committee; placed in Legislative Files pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 on April 8, 2025
  • Legislative actions: Referred to committee (1/14/2025), work session (3/27/2025), ONTP (3/27/2025), reported OUT ONTP (4/3/2025), placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) (4/8/2025)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill aims to reduce electricity costs by enlarging the set of resources eligible to meet the state's renewable resource portfolio requirement.
  • Specifically, it proposes removing the existing 100-megawatt limit on what can be considered a renewable resource of energy, thereby allowing additional or larger hydroelectric resources to qualify as renewable.

Key provisions (inferred from title and fiscal note)

  • Eliminate the statutory 100 MW cap that restricts renewable resource eligibility.
  • Allow certain hydroelectric generators to qualify as renewable resources for the purposes of meeting Maine’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS) requirements.
  • Enable utilities or other market participants to count eligible hydro facilities toward compliance with state renewable energy goals.

Effects and potential impact

  • Eligible resources: Larger or additional hydroelectric facilities could count toward Maine’s renewable portfolio requirement, potentially increasing the pool of recognized renewable resources.
  • Market and rate implications: By expanding eligibility, the state could influence the mix of resources counted toward RPS compliance, with possible downstream effects on electricity costs for ratepayers. The fiscal note indicates any increased costs to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for adjustments to eligibility are anticipated to be minor and absorbable within current resources.
  • Stakeholders affected:
    • Hydroelectric generators that meet revised eligibility criteria
    • Utilities and competitive electricity providers
    • The Public Utilities Commission and state energy program staff
    • Electricity consumers, indirectly through any changes in renewable compliance costs

Fiscal impact

  • Preliminary fiscal note (Approved 1/23/2025): Minor cost increase to "Other Special Revenue Funds" due to changes in eligibility requirements.
  • The note states these costs would be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgets; no large or new funding is anticipated.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • 1/14/2025: Referred to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology
  • 1/14/2025–3/27/2025: Committee work, including a work session and ONTP vote
  • 4/3/2025: Reported Out – ONTP
  • 4/8/2025: Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) under Joint Rule 310.3, indicating the bill did not advance in this session

Bottom line

LD 204 would remove the 100 MW limit on renewable resources to allow additional or larger hydroelectric facilities to count toward Maine’s renewable energy portfolio. While intended to lower electricity costs by broadening eligibility, the measure did not advance and is considered dead for the current legislative session. The preliminary fiscal impact is minor and manageable within existing agency resources.

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

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