Maine LD2174: An Act to Replace the Maine Waterway Development and Conservation Act with the Maine Renewable Energy and Associated Transmission Development and Conservation Act

What the bill says

An Act to Replace the Maine Waterway Development and Conservation Act with the Maine Renewable Energy and Associated Transmission Development and Conservation Act (EMERGENCY) Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 203. Reference to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources suggested and ordered printed. ROBERT B. HUNT Clerk Presented by Representative KESSLER of South Portland. Printed on recycled paper Emergency preamble.

From the introduced text:

An Act to Replace the Maine Waterway Development and Conservation Act with the Maine Renewable Energy and Associated Transmission Development and Conservation Act (EMERGENCY) Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 203. Reference to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources suggested and ordered printed. ROBERT B. HUNT Clerk Presented by Representative KESSLER of South Portland. Printed on recycled paper Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and Whereas, electricity prices in Maine are increasing significantly and financial incentives for renewable energy deployment are decreasing, which is negatively impacting economic vitality throughout the State; and Whereas, current permitting requirements are a significant impediment to renewable energy deployment, which requires expediency in order to be financially viable as well as competitive with neighboring states that have recently enacted permitting reform for renewable energy development and the needed supporting transmission; and Whereas, Maine has long been a national leader in working to address the climate crisis, with both the Legislature and Governor having set ambitious decarbonization targets and comprehensive plans to achieve these targets; and Whereas, to achieve its emissions targets and promote new economic development and long-term employment, the State must build more clean energy generation infrastructure and at …

Read the full official text