AUGUSTA - On Thursday, Gov. Janet Mills signed legislation sponsored by Rep. Gerry Runte, D-York, that directs Efficiency Maine to study the feasibility of a vehicle-to-grid electric school bus pilot project at the Wells-Ogunquit Community School District.
"The primary value of studying this pilot project is to demonstrate how vehicles might be used as storage devices to benefit the electrical grid, and it will be a wonderful learning opportunity for students," said Runte. "If you discharged this bus at peak hours, you would reduce demand occurring in the system. If you added up enough of these storage devices, reducing these peaks would save money for all consumers."
LD 519 directs Efficiency Maine to undertake a two-phase evaluation of the potential project. The first phase will include an initial recommendation consisting of a detailed cost and benefit analysis. The second phase will provide information on a pilot design, budget and other requirements for the project to the Legislature's Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has already provided a grant to the Wells-Ogunquit Community School District for the purchase of 11 electric school buses.
The new law will go into effect 90 days after final adjournment of the Legislative session.
Runte, a member of the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, is serving his first term in the Maine House and represents Ogunquit, Wells and York.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Runte], c. 305-965-2744