Vitelli introduces bill related to Renewable Portfolio Standard

AUGUSTA — Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, on Thursday introduced a bill to clarify a provision in Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standards that were overhauled last year by LD 1494, also sponsored by Sen. Vitelli. LD 1896, “An Act To Authorize Separate Alternative Compliance Payment Rates for Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standard and To Amend the Laws Governing Thermal Renewable Energy Credits,” received a public hearing before the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee. 

“Last year, we passed a landmark bill that updated Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standard and helped set us on a path to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050,” said Sen. Vitelli. “This bill is a small patch that will clarify one of the many moving parts that will help us reach that goal.”

LD 1896 would add minor clarifications to the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, which was updated last year, to encourage potential buyers of new thermal energy credits.

The Public Utilities Commission is working to issue its first request for proposals to procure procure significant amounts — equivalent to at least 7 percent and up to 10 percent of all 2018 retail electricity sales — of renewable energy under the new law. It’s the first major step toward reaching Maine’s renewable energy goals.

LD 1896 faces further action in committee and vote before the Maine Senate and House.