An Act To Promote Consumer Fairness in Alternative Energy

Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §3210-E  is enacted to read:

§ 3210-E.  Net energy; rules

A transmission and distribution utility shall compensate a customer for excess net energy that is generated from a renewable resource, as specified in section 3210, subsection 2, paragraph C, subparagraph (2), by a facility operated by the customer primarily to meet the customer's electricity requirements. For purposes of this section, "net energy" means the difference between the kilowatt-hours consumed by a customer and the kilowatt-hours generated by the customer's generating facility over any time period determined as if measured by a single meter capable of registering the flow of electricity in 2 directions. The commission shall adopt rules to implement this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

summary

This bill requires transmission and distribution utility companies to compensate customers that generate electricity from renewable resources for any excess electricity generated by the customer beyond the customer's actual electricity usage.