HP0757
LD 1027
Session - 129th Maine Legislature
 
LR 1123
Item 1
Bill Tracking, Additional Documents Chamber Status

An Act To Eliminate the 100-megawatt Limit on Hydroelectric Generators under the Renewable Resources Laws

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §3210, sub-§2, ¶B-3,  as amended by PL 2015, c. 220, §1, is further amended to read:

B-3. "Renewable capacity resource" means a source of electrical generation:

(1) Whose total power production capacity does not exceed 100 megawatts and relies on one or more of the following:

(a) Fuel cells;

(b) Tidal power;

(c) Solar arrays and installations;

(d) Geothermal installations;

(e) Hydroelectric generators that meet all state and federal fish passage requirements applicable to the generator;

(f) Biomass generators that are fueled by wood, wood waste or landfill gas; or

(g) Anaerobic digestion of by-products of waste from animals or agricultural crops, food or vegetative material, algae or organic refuse; or

(2) That relies on wind power installations . ; or

(3) That relies on hydroelectric generators that meet all state and federal fish passage requirements applicable to the generators.

Sec. 2. 35-A MRSA §3210, sub-§2, ¶C,  as amended by PL 2009, c. 542, §5, is further amended to read:

C. "Renewable resource" means a source of electrical generation:

(1) That qualifies as a small power production facility under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rules, 18 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 292, Subpart B, as in effect on January 1, 1997; or

(2) Whose total power production capacity does not exceed 100 megawatts and that relies on one or more of the following:

(a) Fuel cells;

(b) Tidal power;

(c) Solar arrays and installations;

(d) Wind power installations;

(e) Geothermal installations;

(f) Hydroelectric generators;

(g) Biomass generators that are fueled by wood or wood waste, landfill gas or anaerobic digestion of agricultural products, by-products or wastes; or

(h) Generators fueled by municipal solid waste in conjunction with recycling . ; or

(3) That relies on hydroelectric generators.

SUMMARY

This bill removes the 100-megawatt capacity limit for a hydroelectric generator that meets all state and federal fish passage requirements applicable to generators to qualify as a renewable capacity resource and for a hydroelectric generator to qualify as a renewable resource for the purpose of meeting the State's renewable resource portfolio requirement.


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