35-A M.R.S. §3209-J: Net Energy Billing Cost Stabilization Fund

(REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 35-A, SECTION 3209-F)

1. Fund established. There is established the Net Energy Billing Cost Stabilization Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," as an account within the commission. The fund is a nonlapsing, revolving fund administered by the commission for the purpose of offsetting the costs to ratepayers associated with the net energy billing program under section 3209‑A and section 3209‑B.

2. Sources for fund. The commission may receive and deposit in the fund funds from the following sources:

A. Federal funds and awards that may be used for the purposes specified in this section;

B. Appropriations and transfers authorized by the Legislature; and

C. Any other funds from public or private sources received for the purposes of this section.

3. Use of funds. To the extent that funds are available, the commission shall use the fund exclusively to make payments to reimburse transmission and distribution utilities for any costs incurred as a result of the net energy billing program under section 3209‑A and section 3209‑B that would have otherwise been paid by ratepayers.

4. Rules. The commission may adopt rules to implement this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.

5. Report. By February 1st of any year in which the commission has paid a reimbursement from the fund to a transmission and distribution utility in the prior calendar year, the commission shall provide a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over electricity matters that includes the amount of the reimbursement paid in the prior calendar year, the source of any funds received by the fund in the prior calendar year and any other relevant information as determined by the commission. The committee may report out a bill related to the commission's report.