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LD 300

Resolve, To Direct The Public Utilities Commission To Study Expanding The Use Of Hydroelectric Power And The Development Of A Geothermal Power Plant In The State

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Alicia Collins and 1 co-sponsor

Directs the Governor’s Energy Office to study expanding hydroelectric power in Maine and the feasibility of establishing a geothermal power plant, informing future decisions.

Signed by Governor
#alternativeenergy #hydropower #revitalizationstudy
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Bill Summary · LD 300

Summary — LD 300 (132nd Legislature)

Title: Resolve, To Direct the Public Utilities Commission to Study Expanding the Use of Hydroelectric Power and the Development of a Geothermal Power Plant in the State
Bill type: Resolve (study directive)
Bill number: LD 300
Introduced: January 30, 2025
Status: Signed by the Governor (May 29, 2025)

Purpose

LD 300 directs a state agency to conduct a study on (1) expanding the use of hydropower in Maine and (2) the feasibility and development considerations for a geothermal power plant in the State. The Resolve is investigatory in nature — it requires study and analysis rather than authorizing construction or funding a project directly.

Key provisions

  • Directs a state entity to perform a study addressing:
    • Opportunities and barriers to expanding hydroelectric generation and use in Maine.
    • Feasibility, potential siting, technical requirements, economic costs and benefits, regulatory considerations, and other development issues related to establishing a geothermal power plant in the State.
  • Committee Amendment A (H‑201) changed the lead implementing agency from the Public Utilities Commission to the Governor’s Energy Office (reflected in engrossed version).
  • No substantial appropriations are attached; the Resolve contemplates that study-related costs are minor and can be absorbed within existing budgets.

Who is affected

  • Lead agency: initially the Public Utilities Commission (per original text), but the engrossed/ amended Resolve assigns the Governor’s Energy Office responsibility for the study.
  • Other state agencies, utilities, hydroelectric facility operators, potential geothermal developers, municipal governments, environmental review bodies, and electric ratepayers could be indirectly affected by study findings and subsequent policy decisions.
  • Stakeholders would likely participate in consultations, data-sharing, and review processes during the study.

Fiscal impact

  • Fiscal notes (approved 04/30/25 and 05/22/25 for the engrossed version) estimate a minor cost increase to the General Fund and Other Special Revenue Funds.
  • Any additional costs are expected to be minor and absorbable within existing budgeted resources.

Procedural history / timeline

  • Referred to Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology (Jan 30, 2025).
  • Reviewed, amended (Committee Amendment A H‑201), and passed by the Legislature (May 22–27, 2025).
  • Signed by the Governor: May 29, 2025.
  • The Resolve does not specify a formal deadline for completion of the study in the materials provided; implementation timing will depend on the lead agency’s workplans.

Notable points

  • LD 300 is a planning/analytical measure intended to inform future policy or project decisions; it does not commit the State to build or fund hydroelectric expansion or a geothermal plant.
  • The amendment shifting the study lead to the Governor’s Energy Office focuses execution within the State energy office rather than the regulatory commission.

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

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