AUGUSTA - After a unanimous vote on Tuesday in the Maine House of Representatives, the Maine Senate voted Wednesday to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Jim Boyle, D-Gorham, that would require battery storage facility developers of projects that are two megawatts or more to establish a decommissioning plan for the end of the project's useful life.
"Protecting our environment and natural resources is fundamental to the well-being of our state," said Boyle. "Our economy, our health, our happiness and our future depend on it. That's why, as we continue to lead on renewable energy generation, we need to be thoughtful about the entire lifecycle of these technologies."
As amended, LD 496 would establish requirements for decommissioning plans, including removing the battery storage system, recycling any related waste that is recyclable and restoring the land by regrading disturbed earth and reintroducing vegetation. Developers would be required to demonstrate the capacity to fully fund the decommissioning work and would need to receive an approved decommissioning plan from the Department of Environmental Protection or the Maine Land Use Planning Commission to build or operate a battery storage facility.
The bill faces further votes in the House and Senate.
Boyle is serving his second term in the Maine House and represents House District 109, which includes part of Gorham. He serves on the Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Boyle], c. 305-965-2744