Resolve, Regarding Waste-to-energy Power

Sec. 1. Waste-to-energy power; examination. Resolved: That the Executive Department, Governor's Office of Energy Independence and Security shall examine the issue of qualifying certain waste-to-energy power for renewable energy credits and renewable resource portfolio requirements. The examination must include, but is not limited to:

1. Relevant legislative proposals and actions in the United States Congress and in other states, with particular attention to other states within New England;

2. Appropriate qualifying criteria and technologies, including but not limited to advanced pyrolysis technology;

3. Potential implications of allowing certain waste-to-energy power to qualify for renewable energy credits and renewable resource portfolio requirements, including but not limited to impacts on the market for renewable energy credits and the environment; and

4. Consideration of the renewable resource portfolio requirements specified in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35A, section 3210 and the solid waste management hierarchy specified in Title 38, section 2101.

In carrying out the examination under this section, the Governor's Office of Energy Independence and Security shall, at a minimum, consult with the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Public Utilities Commission and the Efficiency Maine Trust; and be it further

Sec. 2. Report; legislation. Resolved: That, by February 15, 2011, the Executive Department, Governor's Office of Energy Independence and Security shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations under section 1, together with any necessary implementing legislation, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over utilities and energy matters. After its review of the report, the joint standing committee may submit a bill to the First Regular Session of the 125th Legislature relating to the report.