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MaineLD 32132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act Regarding the Interconnection Ombudsman Position at the Public Utilities Commission

Sponsored By: Stacey K. Guerin (Republican)

Became Law

ELECTRIC UTILITIESELECTRIC UTILITIES - RATES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

New solar property tax rules for homeowners

The law changes solar property tax breaks starting in 2025. For tax years that start before April 1, 2025, the older paragraph U exemption still applies; after that it ends. For tax years starting April 1, 2025 or April 1, 2026, your solar can be exempt if all power is used on site; or it is collocated and at least 50% of output is subscribed by that customer; or power flows through utility lines and customers get bill credits, with a fully executed interconnection before June 1, 2024. For tax years starting April 1, 2027 and later, a new exemption continues under the same three conditions. You must file a report with your assessor by April 1 of the first year you claim the exemption.

More support for storage, EV chargers, clean heat

More technologies now qualify for state trust programs: renewable systems, energy storage, electric thermal storage, EV chargers, and approved low‑carbon heating. Non‑renewable heating must meet the trust’s lowest‑carbon standard and any section 10204 rules. The law defines energy storage systems and sets storage goals of at least 300 MW by December 31, 2025 and 400 MW by December 31, 2030. Starting January 15, 2027, the state reevaluates the storage goal every two years when it updates the energy plan.

Tighter rules for renewable contracts and projects

Proposals default to 20‑year contracts unless the commission approves a different term. Only Class I and Class IA renewables and energy storage are eligible; biomass using landfill gas, anaerobic digestion of farm by‑products, and municipal solid‑waste plants are excluded. Generators must meet technology‑specific high‑efficiency standards and comply with net generating capacity limits. Some projects no longer count as “assisted projects,” including those approved by the PUC on or before June 29, 2021 and certain net energy billing projects. One paragraph in section 3623 is repealed, and some northern Maine projects must be tied to specified transmission lines where applicable.

Net energy billing returns to 2017 rules

The law orders the PUC to start, within 60 days, restoring customer net energy billing to the rules in place on March 29, 2017. It repeals several later net billing statutes (including sections 3209‑B and 3209‑E through 3209‑I) and a full energy chapter, and updates the meaning of nameplate capacity. The PUC now has clear power to make major net billing rules and must define how project benefits and utility costs are counted. Utilities must handle expired bill credits as the commission’s rules require. The commission also files a public report every two years on Class IA contracts and related costs and benefits, and removes some related statutory paragraphs.

Faster hookups for home solar and batteries

The commission must write best‑practice interconnection rules for customer solar and storage. The rules prioritize systems that serve on‑site use and set timely ways to fix delays. Utilities must coordinate upgrades so customers can connect more quickly and fairly.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Stacey K. Guerin

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • James White

    Republican • House

  • Katrina Smith

    Republican • House

  • Mathew McIntyre

    Republican • House

  • Nathan Wadsworth

    Republican • House

  • Steven Foster

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 94 • No: 80

House vote • 4/2/2026

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 75 • No: 68

Senate vote • 3/30/2026

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 19 • No: 12

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 680

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    4/6/2026Senate

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

    4/2/2026House

  4. Reports READ.On motion of Representative SACHS of Freeport, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 709(Yeas 75 - Nays 68 - Absent 7 - Excused 0 - Vacant 1)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-587) 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" (S-587). In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/2/2026House

  5. Reports READ.On motion by Senator LAWRENCE of York the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-587) Report ACCEPTED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 826 Yeas 19 - Nays 12 - Excused 4 - Absent 0 READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (S-587) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-587) Sent down for concurrence.

    3/30/2026Senate

  6. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.

    6/25/2025Senate

  7. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025Senate

  8. Received by the Secretary of the Senate on January 6, 2025 and REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2

    1/8/2025Senate

Bill Text

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