Governor signs into law Sen. Vitelli bill to improve power grid reliability and use of renewable energy in Maine

AUGUSTA — On Monday, Gov. Janet Mills signed into law a bill from Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic. LD 528, “An Act To Advance Energy Storage in Maine,” will improve the reliability of Maine’s power grid and use of renewable energy.

“Exploring and investing in energy storage will help Maine take better advantage of renewable energy sources. It will also increase the overall stability of our energy grid and support more jobs that come with our growing green energy industry. I’m excited to see all the projects and innovations that come as a result of this new law,” said Sen. Vitelli.

During the last legislative session, Sen. Vitelli served on the Commission to Study the Economic, Environmental and Energy Benefits of Energy Storage to the Maine Electricity Industry. The commission’s work culminated in a report published in December 2019. The commission’s report outlines how Maine currently trails other New England states in developing policy that encourages energy storage. To rectify this and to ensure that Maine is taking the necessary steps to build a modern energy infrastructure, the report makes several legislative recommendations. LD 528 is part of that effort and incorporates some of the report’s recommendations.

As amended, LD 528 would establish a state goal for energy storage system development of 300 megawatts of installed capacity by 2025 and 400 megawatts by 2030. It also would direct the Public Utilities Commission to investigate opportunities to modernize transmission and distribution utility rate designs through time-of-use or other time-differentiated rates to help save customers money. Energy storage technology can capture the excess power generated when the wind is blowing or the sun is shining and allow us to discharge that stored energy when needed at a later time. 

“Long-duration energy storage systems will help in optimizing Maine’s transition to clean energy by augmenting less costly but variable clean energy sources like wind and solar when and wherever needed, and by enhancing overall grid resilience, reliability, and efficiency,” said David Costello, climate and clean energy program director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine, in testimony supporting the bill.

LD 528 will go into effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die.