Maine LD897: 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

What the bill says

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.

From the engrossed text:

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 Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §3132-B, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2019, c. 298, §13, is amended to read: 1. Planning study. Each investor-owned transmission and distribution utility in this State shall annually complete and submit to the commission and to the Office of the Public Advocate, for review by the nonwires alternative coordinator, a planning study for small transmission projects and distribution projects. In completing the planning study, an investor-owned transmission and distribution utility shall develop and use system planning models. The study must: A. Analyze system needs for the next 5 years and provide a schedule of proposed projects and associated costs; B. Describe system capacity and load by substation and circuit; and C. Identify corresponding planned and anticipated growth-related investments. After review of a planning study submitted under this subsection, the nonwires alternative coordinator may provide comments or recommendations, which may include recommendations to achieve the policy goals established in section 3143. An investorowned transmission and distribution utility may, at its discretion, incorporate recommendations on a planning study made by the nonwires alternative coordinator. Failure to incorporate recommendations made by the nonwires alternative coordinator may not result in a presumption of imprudence. …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Mark Lawrence (D, 35) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. April 7, 2026: PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
2. April 7, 2026: PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
3. April 7, 2026: 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. April 6, 2026: 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
5. April 2, 2026: Unfinished Business
6. March 31, 2026: Unfinished Business
7. March 30, 2026: Unfinished Business
8. March 26, 2026: Unfinished Business
9. March 25, 2026: Unfinished Business
10. March 24, 2026: 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

Votes

• Senate RC #883: ACCEPT REPORT 'A' OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED (April 6, 2026): 20 yea, 12 nay, passed

Common questions

What is LD897?

LD897 is a bill in the Maine Legislature (132nd Legislature): 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.

What does LD897 do?

In its own words: 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.

What is the status of LD897?

Signed into law as of April 13, 2026. Latest action: PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence. (April 7, 2026).

Who sponsored LD897?

Mark Lawrence (D, 35).

Where is the official record for LD897?

On the Maine Legislature website: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=897&snum=132