An Act To Fund Energy Efficiency Programs through a Fee on the Sale of Unregulated Heating Fuels

Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §10119, sub-§1, ¶A-1  is enacted to read:

Sec. 2. 36 MRSA c. 723  is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 723

HEATING FUEL FEE

§ 4951.  Imposition of fee

Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a fee is imposed on the wholesale sale in the State of heating oil, propane, coal, kerosene and dyed diesel fuel that is intended for residential or commercial heating purposes in the amount of 1% of the wholesale sale price.

§ 4952.  Administration

The fee imposed by this chapter is administered as provided in chapter 7 and Part 3, with the fee imposed pursuant to this chapter to be considered as imposed under Part 3.

The revenue derived from the fee imposed by this chapter must be deposited in the Heating Fuels Efficiency and Weatherization Fund established in Title 35-A, section 10119, which must reimburse the General Fund for the administrative costs of the fee as certified by the bureau.

§ 4953.  Effective date

This chapter takes effect July 1, 2020.

SUMMARY

Starting July 1, 2020, this bill imposes a fee of 1% on the wholesale sale price of heating oil, propane, coal, kerosene and dyed diesel fuel that is intended for residential or commercial heating purposes. The bill requires the revenue raised through the imposition of this fee to be used to provide additional funding for the Heating Fuels Efficiency and Weatherization Fund, which is administered by the Efficiency Maine Trust for the purpose of reducing heating fuel consumption and providing energy efficiency and weatherization products and services to consumers.