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An Act To Increase Energy Options
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §3212, sub-§6, as amended by PL 2003, c. 141, §2, is further amended to read:
 
6. Consumer-owned utilities.   Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the commission is not required to conduct a competitive bidding process or select a standard-offer service provider or providers for the territory of a consumer-owned transmission and distribution utility or the territory of a municipal power district under chapter 39 that is not a transmission and distribution utility if the consumer-owned transmission and distribution utility or municipal power district chooses one or more standard-offer service providers for its territory through a competitive bidding process conducted in accordance with the commission's rules governing the selection and criteria for approval of a standard-offer service provider, or if the consumer-owned transmission and distribution utility or municipal power district enters into one or more contracts to purchase power at wholesale for the purpose of providing retail generation service within its service territory. Selection of a standard-offer service provider or providers and agreements with or purchases from a standard-offer service provider or providers or other wholesale power supply providers are not subject to the approval requirements of section 3133 or 3133-A. A consumer-owned transmission and distribution utility or municipal power district may choose a single standard-offer service provider. A consumer-owned transmission and distribution utility or municipal power district that intends to choose a standard-offer service provider or providers, or to enter into a wholesale power purchase contract for the purpose of providing retail generation service within its service territory, in accordance with this subsection shall notify the commission.
Sec. 2. 35-A MRSA §3908, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6, is amended to read:
 
2. Electricity.   Generate, manufacture, purchase, acquire, accumulate, transmit, distribute, sell, supply and dispose of electricity to individuals and corporations within the district and, if it chooses, provide standard-offer service in accordance with section 3212, subsection 6 whether or not the district serves as a transmission and distribution utility;
Sec. 3. 35-A MRSA §3912, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6, is amended to read:
 
1. Payment of current expenses of operation and maintenance.   To pay the current expenses for operating and maintaining the electric system or associated with providing standard-offer service, including the cost of fuel and to provide for normal renewals and replacements;
 
SUMMARY
This bill grants to communities not served by consumer-owned utilities the opportunity to manage their own standard-offer electricity supply in the same manner permitted for communities served by consumer-owned utilities.