PRIA Logo™
MaineLD 1726132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)House

An Act to Enhance the Coordination and Effectiveness of Integrated Distribution Grid Planning

Sponsored By: Walter Runte (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

ELECTRIC UTILITIESELECTRIC UTILITIES - PLANNING

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

PUC can use plans to pick projects

The Public Utilities Commission can use utility grid plan filings to design requests for proposals, score bids, and negotiate contracts. This helps the commission select projects that optimize grid capacity. This authority applies in competitive solicitations starting February 1, 2026.

Review to improve non-wires grid fixes

The Public Utilities Commission reviews the nonwires alternative investigation and recommendation process. It consults the Efficiency Maine Trust and the Office of the Public Advocate and takes stakeholder comments. The review looks at how this process is built into utility grid plans. A report with recommendations is due March 1, 2026.

Utilities must plan smarter with shared forecasts

Beginning February 1, 2026, utilities must file more detailed distribution grid plans. Plans include load and electrification forecasts, analysis of advanced conductors and grid‑enhancing technologies, and near‑term cost‑effective investments. Plans also assess environmental and equity impacts and consider low‑voltage sensors to monitor the grid. The law defines an advanced conductor as a wire with at least 10% lower resistance than similar wires, and standardizes the meaning of grid‑enhancing technology. The state energy office, when possible, uses the same forecasting method as the statewide energy plan and makes that method available to other agencies.

Study flexible grid interconnection options

The Public Utilities Commission studies flexible interconnection options that let new energy projects connect with limits or conditions. The study reviews benefits, barriers, and any costs to customers who do not interconnect and ways to limit cost shifts. The PUC engages stakeholders, including the state’s interconnection working group. An initial report is due February 15, 2026, and a final report is due February 15, 2027.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Walter Runte

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Christopher Kessler

    Democratic • House

  • Kilton Webb

    Democratic • House

  • Mark W. Lawrence

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mathew McIntyre

    Republican • House

  • Melanie Sachs

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole C. Grohoski

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sophia Warren

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 94 • No: 82

Senate vote • 6/5/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 19 • No: 13

House vote • 6/4/2025

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 75 • No: 69

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 293

    6/12/2025

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/9/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/9/2025House

  4. Reports ReadOn motion by Senator LAWRENCE of York the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 364 Yeas 19 - Nays 13 - Excused 3 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-438) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-438) in concurrence.

    6/5/2025Senate

  5. Reports READ.On motion of Representative SACHS of Freeport, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 318(Yeas 75 - Nays 69 - Absent 7 - Excused 0)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-438) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-438). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/4/2025House

  6. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY in concurrence

    4/17/2025Senate

  7. Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/17/2025House

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (H-438), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation