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MaineLD 2112132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Authorize Municipalities to Form Community Choice Aggregation Programs to Procure Electricity

Sponsored By: Walter Runte (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

ELECTRIC UTILITIESELECTRIC UTILITIES - DELIVERY

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Electricity aid stays protected when customers join

Joining a local electricity-buying program does not change eligibility for, or receipt of, state electric or other low-income aid. Utilities and towns cannot add fees, charges, or penalties because these customers join. Existing overdue-bill management discounts, credits, and protections continue without interruption. Electric-aid and overdue-bill management participants must choose to join, rather than being enrolled automatically. Programs cannot supply these customers whenever their electricity rate is higher than the default-service rate.

Tribal nations can organize electricity buying

The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Passamaquoddy Tribe can create shared electricity-buying programs. These programs have the same rights and must follow the applicable rules for municipal programs. The law does not require a program or promise lower bills.

Local electricity buying with enrollment limits

Maine towns can jointly buy electricity for homes and small businesses in investor-owned utility service areas. Each town needs majority approval from its governing body and voters, plus Maine Public Utilities Commission approval. Default-service customers can be enrolled automatically after first-class mail and newspaper notices explaining how to opt out without penalty. Customers with competitive suppliers, net energy billing, or front-of-the-meter energy programs must opt in instead. Electric-aid and overdue-bill management participants also must opt in. Customers joining from another competitive supplier must notify that supplier and end their contract. Towns can exclude customers based on payment history or return them to default service for unpaid program charges. The Commission must start rulemaking by January 1, 2027, covering plans, notices, enrollment, consumer protections, transparency, and limiting harm to default service. The law does not guarantee lower bills.

Utilities support local buying with cost safeguards

Utilities still deliver electricity at approved rates while local programs arrange the power supply through licensed providers. Utilities must offer program suppliers and consultants the billing choices and payment terms available to other competitive suppliers. They must share needed customer data in a standard computer-readable format within Commission deadlines. This includes account details, addresses, rate class, 12 months of usage and aggregated payment history, peak-demand information, and supplier or energy-program status. Program suppliers and consultants must follow existing confidentiality rules; town approval lets them discuss related energy services with customers. Requesters pay the cost of producing historical usage records unavailable through automated data. The Commission must set a standard supplier agreement and a fee process covering utility implementation costs, protecting nonprogram customers from cost shifts.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Walter Runte

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Mark W. Lawrence

    Democratic • Senate

  • Melanie Sachs

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 97 • No: 74

Senate vote • 4/2/2026

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 21 • No: 12

House vote • 3/30/2026

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 76 • No: 62

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 665

    4/13/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    4/6/2026Senate

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

    4/6/2026House

  4. Reports READ.On motion by Senator LAWRENCE of York the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 838 Yeas 21 - Nays 12 - Excused 2 - Absent 0 READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-903) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-903) in concurrence.

    4/2/2026Senate

  5. Reports READ.On motion of Representative SACHS of Freeport, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 697(Yeas 76 - Nays 62 - Absent 12 - Excused 0 - Vacant 1)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-903) 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-903). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/30/2026House

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

    1/7/2026Senate

  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.

    1/7/2026House

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (H-903), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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