§ 35-A §10305 — Powers and duties of department

Under the supervision of the commissioner, the department shall:
1.
State energy plan.
Prepare and submit a comprehensive state energy plan to the Governor and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy matters by January 15th of each odd-numbered year. The department shall ensure the state energy plan is informed by public input, including, but not limited to, through the conduct of at least 2 public meetings and receipt of public comment related to a draft of the state energy plan, and shall seek input regarding issues faced by socially vulnerable counties and communities as defined in section 3210‑I, subsection 1, paragraph D. The state energy plan must:
2.
Recommendations.
Make recommendations, if needed, for additional legislative and administrative actions to ensure that the State can meet the goals and objectives of the state energy plan under subsection 1. The department shall develop, recommend and, as appropriate, take action to implement integrated or comprehensive strategies, including at regional and federal levels, to carry out the goals and objectives of the state energy plan, to secure the State's interest in energy resources and the supply and cost-effective use of those resources and lower the total cost of energy to consumers in this State;
3.
Annual report.
By January 15th of each year, prepare and submit to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy matters a report that describes the activities of the department during the previous calendar year in carrying out its duties under this section and describes the State's progress in implementation of the state energy plan prepared pursuant to subsection 1, funding received from private sources pursuant to section 10308, subsection 3 and the department's annual accounting pursuant to section 10308, subsection 2. After receipt and review of the annual report, the joint standing committee may report out legislation relating to energy policy;
4.
Energy data collection and analysis.
In collaboration with other relevant state agencies, private industry and nonprofit organizations, collect and analyze energy data, including, but not limited to, data on energy supply, demand and costs in this State with consideration of all available energy sources;
5.
Energy information dissemination.
Review and coordinate the dissemination of energy information developed by cabinet-level state agencies intended for the public and the media;
6.
Technical assistance.
Provide technical assistance and information to the Governor and the Legislature regarding the State's short-range and long-range energy needs and the resources to meet those needs;
7.
Funds from public and private sources.
Seek, accept and administer funds from public and private sources and develop partnerships with public and private entities to support the goals of the department, including, but not limited to, promoting energy efficiency, demand-side management and distributed generation;
8.
Federal government funds.
Receive and administer funds from the United States Department of Energy's State Energy Program and other federal funds as appropriate;
9.
Electricity agreements.
Work with transmission and distribution utilities, the commission, state agencies involved in the permitting of energy generation facilities and other relevant entities to negotiate agreements that create value for electricity consumers with developers of renewable generation who are interested in building energy generation facilities or developing or using energy transmission infrastructure in this State. This subsection may not be interpreted to authorize the commissioner to be a signatory to such agreements unless otherwise authorized by law;
10.
Energy transmission capacity planning and policy.
Monitor energy transmission capacity planning and policy affecting this State and make recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature as necessary for changes to the relevant laws and rules to facilitate energy infrastructure planning and development;
11.
Petroleum products.
Monitor petroleum product inventories, deliveries, curtailments and shortfalls and other matters relating to the availability of petroleum products in the State;
12.
State energy security plan.
Prepare and submit a state energy security plan in accordance with federal requirements. The department shall, to the extent practicable while protecting the energy security of the State, also submit the plan to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy matters;
13.
Clean energy program.
Establish and manage a program to promote clean energy job development and clean technology business innovation in coordination with industry, educational and training organizations to support current and future workforce needs, including access to high-quality employment opportunities for residents of the State that contribute to the development of a skilled and trained workforce;
14.
Beneficial electrification.
Coordinate with the commission and the Efficiency Maine Trust, established in section 10103, to monitor beneficial electrification trends and opportunities and to establish beneficial electrification targets and regulatory frameworks;
15.
Renewable resource portfolio requirements.
Review and report on the status and impacts of the implementation of the renewable resource portfolio requirements as described in section 3210; and
16.
Greenhouse energy reductions.
Ensure that the State's energy goals, policies and plans align with and support the achievement of the greenhouse gas reduction obligations and climate policies established by Title 38, sections 576‑A and 577.

Legislative History

PL 2025, c. 476, Pt. A, §16 (NEW).