A List of Bills that Can Make a Difference

Fixing a problem that was created by legislation

A Preliminary List of Bills

Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash

The titles of 284 bills that have been submitted for consideration for the second session were released last night. Many of the bills submitted will have a direct impact on the Aroostook Gateway Project Transmission Line Project and are listed below.

Please reach out to the appropriate Senators and Representatives to thank them for submitting these bills, to learn how you can support them to ensure the bills make it through the Legislative Counsel, and to learn more about the bill specifics (many do not have language yet and are titles only).

You may notice some duplication and similar bills. These may end up in one combined bill, but I’m listing them separately for now as that’s how they appear in the preliminary list provided by the Maine Legislature.

Legislation created this problem, so legislation is one way to fix it

We need to get behind these bills. There’s a big process that takes place between submission and a vote.

LR 2609 An Act to Protect Property Owners by Preventing the Use of Eminent Domain to Build Transmission Lines Under the Northern Maine Renewable Energy Development Program - Submitted by Senator Chip Curry

LR 2637 An Act Relating to Eminent Domain for Land for Electric Transmission Lines - Submitted by Representative Scott Cyrway

LR 2719 An Act to Consider Alternative Transmission Technology for the Aroostook Renewable Gateway That Improves Socioeconomic Benefit Without Sacrificing Climate Change Initiatives - Submitted by Representative Scott Cyrway

LR 2783 Resolve, to Reconsider Legislative Approval of the Transmission Project Selected by the Public Utilities Commission Pursuant to the Northern Maine Renewable Energy Development Program - Submitted by Representative Steven Foster

LR 2924 An Act Regarding Energy Infrastructure Development - Submitted by Representative Steven Foster

LR 2731 An Act to Ensure Just Compensation When Eminent Domain Is Declared - Submitted by Representative Benjamin Hymes

LR 2844 An Act to Require Feasibility Studies for Energy Transmission Projects - Submitted by Senator Troy Jackson

LR 2915 An Act to Prohibit the Use of Eminent Domain to Take Land Needed for Any Project Approved Under the Northern Maine Renewable Energy Development Program - Submitted by Senator Lisa Keim

LR 2914 Resolve, to Require Legislative Approval of Increased Costs to Ratepayers of the Transmission Project Approved Under the Northern Maine Renewable Energy Development Program - Submitted by Senator Lisa Keim

LR 2953 An Act to Protect Maine Landowners by Requiring the Examination of Alternative Pathways for Energy Transmission Lines - Submitted by Senator Dave LaFountain

LR 2743 Resolve, Requiring a Transparent Public Hearing Regarding the Finalized Route of the Northern Maine Transmission Infrastructure - Submitted by Representative Katrina Smith

Other Bills to watch
While these may not have direct impact on the Aroostook Renewable Gateway project, they may have peripheral impacts and are bills to watch.

LR 2677 An Act to Clarify the Duties of the Public Advocate in Developing and Advocating for Legislation - Submitted by Senator M Lawrence and Representative V Geiger

LR 2897 An Act to Enhance Regulatory Decision Making Regarding Energy - Submitted by Represenative V Geiger

LR 2686 An Act Regarding the Disposal of Wind Turbine Blades - Submitted by Representative M Soboleski

LR 2873 Resolve, to Protect Maine's Right to Energy Independence by Requiring the State to Bid on Lobster Management Area 1 - Submitted by Representative T Strout

LR 2943 An Act to Strengthen Maine's Agriculture, Food System and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment - Submitted by Speaker Talbot Ross

LR 2643 An Act to Repeal the Law Requiring Initiation of Agency Routine Technical Rulemaking Proceedings upon Receipt of a Petition of 150 Voters - Submitted by J Timberlake

LR 2649 An Act to Increase the Number of Commissioners on the Public Utilities Commission - Submitted by Representative S Zeigler

LR 2866 An Act to Align Maine Law Regarding Energy Portfolios with Those of the New England Independent System Operator - Submitted by Representative S Zeigler