New Era of Clean Energy Ushered Into Maine

An Act to Reform Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (2019)

Sponsors: Eloise A. Vitelli

LD 1494

Climate change threatens our health, our environment, and our economy. Transitioning to a clean energy economy will reduce carbon pollution, mitigate the impacts of climate change, create well-paying jobs, and help make Maine energy independent. Modernizing Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) is key to this transition. Under prior law, the RPS required that 40% of Maine’s electricity be derived from renewable resources: 30% from existing renewable resources and 10% from new ones. LD 1494 increases the percentage of new renewables to 50% by 2030, with an overall RPS of 80%. The total RPS goal increases to 100% by 2050, which Maine will achieve with new, grid scale solar and wind power, supplemented by hydropower, biomass and tidal power. The new law requires that the Public Utilities Commission procure long term contracts for this clean energy mix through a competitive bidding process.