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MaineLD 897132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act Regarding the Nonwires Alternative Process and Required Negative Pricing Provisions in Contracts for Energy Resulting from Competitive Solicitations Conducted by the Public Utilities Commission

Sponsored By: Mark W. Lawrence (Democratic)

Became Law

ELECTRIC UTILITIESELECTRIC UTILITIES - RATES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Stronger ratepayer protections in negative-price hours

The Maine Public Utilities Commission can approve energy contracts from its competitive solicitations only if they cut payments during negative-price hours. The cut equals the absolute value of the negative price times the energy delivered in those hours. The Commission may allow an exception only if the bidder shows good cause and the contract is cost-effective, has other price protections for ratepayers, and avoids curtailing existing renewable generators as much as possible. This applies to contracts from Commission-run competitive solicitations.

Law takes effect immediately

Because the law declares an emergency, it takes effect when approved. The new contract rules apply right away. This sets timing only and does not, by itself, change payments or benefits.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mark W. Lawrence

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 20 • No: 12

Senate vote • 4/6/2026

ACCEPT REPORT 'A' OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED

Yes: 20 • No: 12

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 681

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    4/7/2026Senate

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

    4/7/2026House

  4. Reports READ.On motion of Representative SACHS of Freeport, REPORT A Ought to Pass as Amended was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-571) 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-571).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/7/2026House

  5. Taken from the table by the President ACCEPTANCE of The Report A Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-571) Report PREVAILED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 883 Yeas 20 - Nays 12 - Excused 3 - Absent 0 READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (S-571) READ and ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-571) Sent down for concurrence

    4/6/2026Senate

  6. Unfinished Business

    4/2/2026Senate

  7. Unfinished Business

    3/31/2026Senate

  8. Unfinished Business

    3/30/2026Senate

  9. Unfinished Business

    3/26/2026Senate

  10. Unfinished Business

    3/25/2026Senate

  11. Reports READ. Senator LAWRENCE of York moved to ACCEPT The Report A Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-571) Report. On motion by Same Senator Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending ACCEPTANCE The Report A Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-571) Report. Unfinished Business

    3/24/2026Senate

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. Received by the Secretary of the Senate on March 5, 2025 and REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2

    3/5/2025Senate

Bill Text

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