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MaineLD 1777132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Reduce Costs and Increase Customer Protections for the State's Net Energy Billing Programs

Sponsored By: Sophia Warren (Democratic)

Became Law

ELECTRIC UTILITIESELECTRIC UTILITIES - RATES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.

Tighter size and sharing limits for NEB

Beginning November 1, 2025, projects over 500 kW cannot use net energy billing unless granted a good‑cause delay exemption. Small projects (500 kW or less) can have no more than 10 customers or meters sharing a financial interest. A customer also cannot hold interests in more than five such small projects at one time.

Time limit on net billing participation

Net energy billing participation ends at the earlier of 20 years from the agreement date or December 31, 2045. This applies to agreements under both main net billing sections. Plan around this cut‑off when estimating long‑term credits.

New credit formula and utility commission reviews

The law sets how net energy billing credits are valued. For projects 1 MW or less, and some larger projects that began on‑site construction before September 1, 2022 or are collocated and at least 50% subscribed, credits per kWh equal the standard‑offer supply rate plus 75% of the effective T&D rate for the smallest commercial class. For other projects, the tariff anchors to December 31, 2020 rates; the 2022 value adds 75% of the 2020 T&D rate, and it rises 2.25% each January 1 starting in 2023. The Maine utility commission may change compensation by rule so a representative project can recover reasonable costs, but not above the lowest amount allowed under section 3209‑B. The commission can also adjust rules so projects qualify for federal grants or subsidies that benefit Maine ratepayers.

Unused net billing credits carry forward

The law clarifies how your net energy billing is calculated. Your supply charges reflect the power you use minus what you send to the grid. Unused kilowatt‑hour credits carry over to the next bill.

RECs from net billing retire in Maine

If you sell renewable energy credits from a net energy billing project, you must sell and retire them in Maine. This rule applies to projects under both main net billing sections.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Sophia Warren

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Steven Foster

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 20 • No: 14

Senate vote • 6/18/2025

ADOPT SENATE AMENDMENT (S-439) to COMMITTEE AMENDMENT

Yes: 20 • No: 14

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 430

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/18/2025Senate

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

    6/18/2025House

  4. The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-756) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-439) thereto ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/18/2025House

  5. Reports ReadOn motion by Senator GROHOSKI of Hancock the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-756) Report ACCEPTED READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (H-756) READ On motion by Senator LAWRENCE of York Senate Amendment "A" (S-439) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-756) READ and ADOPTED PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 633 Yeas 20 - Nays 14 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 Committee Amendment "A" (H-756) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-439) thereto ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-756) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-439) thereto In NON-CONCURRENCE Sent down for concurrence

    6/18/2025Senate

  6. Reports READ.On motion of Representative SACHS of Freeport, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-756) 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-756). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/18/2025House

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

    4/24/2025Senate

  8. 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.

    4/24/2025House

Bill Text

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