125th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1706		LR 2632(02)
	An Act To Protect Maine's Biomass and Forest Products Industries'
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "   "
	Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Minor cost increase - General Fund Minor cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	The bill provides that a biomass facility that has not been operating for 90 days or longer as a result of economic hardship is eligible for Class I renewable energy credits for a period of three years. If the biomass facility no longer needs the additional revenue from the credits during the three years, the value of the credits must be transferred to the Efficiency Maine Trust for deposit into the conservation program fund.
	The bill also establishes a state task force led by the Department of Economic and Community Development to identify ways to improve the economic stability of biomass facilities in the state. The provisions of the bill will induce a minor increase in costs to the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Public Utilities Commission, the Finance Authority of Maine and the Department of Conservation that can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.