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MaineLD 597132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Direct the Public Utilities Commission to Conduct Procurements for Energy or Renewable Energy Credits

Sponsored By: Mark W. Lawrence (Democratic)

Became Law

ELECTRIC UTILITIESELECTRIC UTILITIES - PLANNING

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Commission to buy more clean power

The Public Utilities Commission must buy energy or renewable credits equal to 5% of Maine’s 2021 retail electricity sales, plus any earlier Class IA amounts that were selected but not delivered. The first round had to start by January 1, 2024, and the commission must start the next required round within 30 days of this law taking effect. If the first round falls short, the commission can run another within 12 months and keep going until the full target is under contract. This shapes which projects get built and may change future electric rates.

One-time buy to repower older renewables

The commission must run one competitive bid by December 31, 2025 to buy energy or renewable credits equal to 5% of Maine’s 2023 retail sales, limited to Class IA resources that began operating on or before June 30, 2019. It can approve awards only if benefits to ratepayers are more likely than not to exceed costs, and it must reject results that are not competitive or not in the public interest. Contracts are generally 10 years unless a longer term is prudent. Payments must be reduced for stranded costs when energy is produced during negative‑price hours.

Stronger protections for Maine ratepayers

The commission may call a contract a ratepayer benefit only when expected benefits are more likely than not to exceed costs. Contracts must cut payments for energy made during negative‑price hours, unless a narrow, cost‑effective exception also protects existing renewables. Bidders must show local jobs, taxes, and purchases, and the commission prefers projects on contaminated land while steering away from clean farmland and forests. The commission can weigh interconnection costs and federal tax credits when selecting projects. It can issue routine rules to run the program, and two older subsections are repealed.

Rules for adding energy storage

For projects that can include storage, bidders must submit two bids: one with storage and one without. If storage wins a contract, it must stay in place and keep the same owner for the full term. The commission can write rules that let storage be added to a project after award.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mark W. Lawrence

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 392

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence.

    6/16/2025Senate

  3. This being an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the House was necessary.PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/16/2025House

  4. 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" (S-401) 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-401). In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/16/2025House

  5. Reports READ On motion by Senator LAWRENCE of York The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED in concurrence READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (S-401) READ. READ and ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-401) Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    6/13/2025Senate

  6. 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

  7. Received by the Secretary of the Senate on February 19, 2025 and REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2

    2/19/2025Senate

Bill Text

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