Docket No. 2019-00135
The Maine Public Utilities Commission (Commission) is seeking applications for disbursements from Maine’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Trust Fund.
During its 2016 session, the Maine Legislature enacted An Act To Reduce Electric Rates for Maine’s Businesses (2016 Act) P.L 2015, ch. 498 (codified in relevant part at 35-A M.R.S. § 10109(3-A)). The 2016 Act directed the Efficiency Maine Trust (Trust) to transfer money to the Commission from Maine’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) trust fund for fiscal years 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19 for the purpose of the Commission making disbursements in accordance with the 2016 Act to affected customers.
During its 2017 session, the Maine Legislature enacted An Act To Establish Energy Policy in Maine (2017 Act) P.L. 2017, ch. 282, which amends 35-A M.R.S. § 10109(3-A)(A) and directs the Commission to disburse funds quarterly during fiscal years 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 for the benefit of affected customers in proportion to their retail purchase of electricity as measured in kilowatt-hours for the prior calendar year. The total amount to be disbursed from the fund, to the extent those funds are available, must be $2,500,000 in fiscal year 2017-18, $2,500,000 in fiscal year 2018-19 and $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2019-20.
Affected Customers are defined as customers that: (1) are not primarily in the business of selling electricity; (2) receive service at transmission or sub-transmission voltage within a utility transmission system administered by an independent system operator of the New England bulk power system; and (3) are energy intensive manufacturers.
The funds disbursed will be allocated among Affected Customers in proportion to their retail purchase of electricity (in kWh) during the prior calendar year. Affected Customers that use their entire disbursement toward an energy efficiency measure approved by the Efficiency Maine Trust (EMT) will receive matching funds from EMT for the measure.
This Request for Applications (RFA) pertains to disbursements for fiscal year 2019-20 only.
All inquiries about the RFP should be directed to faith.huntington@maine.gov.
In the event you are unable to reach her by e-mail: Phone: (207) 287-1373 Fax: (207) 287-1039