AUGUSTA – A majority of the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee voted recently to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Gerry Runte, D-York, that allows towns to purchase electricity based on the priorities of their residents, like lower rates or from renewable sources, without taking over the responsibility of delivery and billing from utilities.
As amended, LD 2112 gives Maine towns and the Wabanaki Nations the option to create a community choice aggregation (CCA) program to secure electricity for residents, similar to how towns currently purchase electricity for municipal needs. The program must first be approved by a majority of voters. Ten states have authorized the creation of CCAs, including New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
“Passing this measure would give municipalities another tool to address high electricity costs and give residents more transparency and local control over power,” said Runte. “LD 2112 allows towns to purchase the electricity residents want at lower, stable prices and specifying the percentage of renewable energy, instead of relying on the annual purchase made by the Public Utility Commission.”
The Sierra Club, Maine Audubon and the Natural Resources Council of Maine, among many others, expressed their support of the proposal.
The bill faces votes in the House and Senate in the coming weeks.
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.