Vitelli bill to advance Maine’s energy independence and stability signed into law

AUGUSTA – Gov. Janet Mills has signed into law a bill from Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic. LD 1850, “An Act Relating to Energy Storage and the State’s Energy Goals,” would support Maine’s energy independence goals by updating the state’s energy storage development rules.

“Investing in energy storage infrastructure means we can store excess power and reduce the inefficiencies that occur between peaks and valleys in demand. This increases the reliability of renewable energy, and helps move Maine toward our energy independence goals,” said Sen. Vitelli. “LD 1850 helps us keep our eye on the ball, setting a more attainable goal for increased energy storage in our state. It will also make sure the changes we make benefit ratepayers. I’m proud of the work that went into this bill, and I’m grateful to the Governor for signing it into law.”

The new law modifies the state goal for energy storage system development to at least 300 megawatts of installed capacity by Dec. 31, 2025 and at least 400 megawatts by Dec. 31, 2030. This will prepare Maine to store new home-grown power from wind projects in Aroostook County and off the coast of Maine as well as from future solar arrays that could be built on PFAS-contaminated lands. 

The Governor’s Energy Office may reevaluate and increase the state goal as needed. Additionally, the Governor’s Energy Office will consider, in studying long-duration energy storage, whether and under what conditions the use of long-duration energy storage would be cost-effective for ratepayers. The PUC will be required to consider whether the competitive market for energy storage can meet the needs of transmission and distribution utilities at a reasonable cost. 

Sen. Vitelli became well acquainted with energy storage technology and the role it must play in Maine’s energy landscape during her time chairing the Commission to Study the Economic, Environmental and Energy Benefits of Energy Storage to the Maine Electricity Industry. 

“Energy storage resources, particularly battery energy storage, will play an Important role in Maine and New England’s transition. Already, there are more than 63 megawatts of grid-connected energy storage projects operating in the state helping to balance intermittent renewables,” said Caroline Colan with the Governor’s Energy Office, in testimony supporting the bill.

LD 1850 will go into effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die.