AUGUSTA – A bill from Rep. Gerry Runte, D-York, to address high electricity costs and give residents more local control over their power is now law. Gov. Janet Mills recently signed the measure.
LD 2112 provides Maine towns and the Wabanaki Nations the option to purchase electricity at lower rates and from renewable sources, without taking over the responsibility of delivery and billing from utilities, through the formation of a community choice aggregation (CCA) program. The program must first be approved by a majority of voters. New Hampshire and Massachusetts are among the 10 other states that have authorized the creation of CCAs.
“My new law can help communities address high electricity costs and climate change by creating affordable access to renewable energy,” said Runte. “Through community choice aggregation, LD 2112 gives Maine towns and the Wabanaki Nations the option to purchase electricity at competitive prices on behalf of their residents, which is already widely used in other parts of the country. This legislation reflects the collaborative efforts of energy providers, utilities and policymakers to develop a practical and workable solution that balances affordability, reliability, and local choice.”
“According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), municipal aggregation is a useful tool for communities to exert more control over their electricity sources, obtain more green power and lower electricity costs,” said Anthony Erwin from Maine Audubon in testimony supporting the bill. “And electricity procured through community choice aggregation can be 15 to 20 percent lower than residential retail prices.”
The new law will go into effect on July 29, which is 90 days after the final adjournment of the legislative session.
Rep. Runte, a member of the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, is serving his second term in the Maine House and represents Ogunquit, part of Wells and part of York.
Contact:
Brian Lee (Runte) | 305-965-2744