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Amend the amendment after the 2nd occurrence of section 1 by inserting after subsection 20-B the following:
‘Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§74-E  is enacted to read:
 
74-E.   
’
Amend the amendment by inserting after section 11 the following:
‘Sec. 12. 35-A MRSA §10009  is enacted to read:
§ 10009.  Maine Nuclear Power Council
 
1.  Appointment; composition.     The Maine Nuclear Power Council, referred to in this section as "the council" and established in Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 74-E, consists of 7 appointed members:
 
A.  A member representing a utility company, appointed by the Governor;
 
B.  A member representing a power generator, appointed by the Governor;
 
C.  A member representing a transmission and distribution utility, appointed by the Governor;
 
D.  A member from the Public Utilities Commission, recommended by the Public Utilities Commission;
 
E.  The director of the Governor's office of energy independence and security;
 
F.  The State Nuclear Safety Advisor from the Office of the Public Advocate; and
 
G.  A member from the Independent Energy Producers of Maine or its successor.
 
2.  Term.     A member serves for a 3-year term and continues serving until a successor is duly appointed and qualified. A vacancy of a member before the expiration of a member's term must be filled in the same manner as the original member for the unexpired portion of the member's term.
 
3.  Quorum.     A quorum is a majority of the current members of the council.
 
4.  Chair and officers.     The council shall annually elect one of its members to serve as chair. The council may select other officers and designate their duties.
 
5.  Meetings.     The council shall meet at least 6 times a year. It may also meet at other times at the call of the chair or the chair's designee.
 
6.  Duties.     The council shall explore the need for carbon-free alternatives for power generation such as nuclear power in the State to lessen the State's dependency on foreign oil sources. The council shall facilitate the planning for and locating and study of the environmental impacts for the construction of a nuclear power facility and coordinate and expedite compliance with appropriate federal requirements.
 
7.  Staffing.     When available, the staffs of the members represented on the council may assist the council in carrying out its functions and duties within their existing resources.
 
8.  Report.    No later than January 15th of each year, the council shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy matters with regard to measures required to lessen the State's dependency on foreign oil sources. The committee is authorized to submit any necessary legislation regarding the council's report.’
Amend the amendment by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section number to read consecutively.
 
SUMMARY
This amendment establishes the Maine Nuclear Power Council to explore the need for carbon-free alternatives for power generation.