Bill
Bill > LD1210
ME LD1210
An Act to Regarding Renewable Electricity Generation by Hydropower Projects
summary
Introduced
03/20/2025
03/20/2025
In Committee
03/20/2025
03/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
05/22/2025
05/22/2025
Introduced Session
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
This bill amends the laws regulating the Department of Environmental Protection's process for approving or disapproving a permit for a hydropower project and for issuing or denying a water quality certification for a hydropower project as required under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. It requires the department, in determining whether to approve or deny a permit, or issue or deny a water quality certification, to consider the effect of that approval, disapproval, issuance or denial on the State's renewable energy, decarbonization and economic development policies and goals; the environmental and economic benefits to the State of the hydroelectric generation provided by the project; and, taking those factors into consideration, whether approval of the permit or issuance of the certification for the project is permissible notwithstanding the project's effect on wildlife habitat and aquatic life within the waters affected by the project, including affected waters downstream of the project.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Maine's environmental regulations regarding hydropower project permits and water quality certifications by introducing new considerations for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) when evaluating such projects. Specifically, the bill requires the DEP to consider the project's potential impact on the state's renewable energy, decarbonization, and economic development policies, as well as the environmental and economic benefits of hydroelectric generation. Importantly, the bill allows the department to potentially approve a project even if it negatively affects wildlife habitat and aquatic life, provided that the project's broader benefits outweigh these environmental concerns. The bill amends existing statutes to explicitly include these new evaluation criteria in the permit and water quality certification processes, ensuring that renewable energy goals are balanced against environmental protection. The changes apply to both new hydropower projects and modifications to existing projects, and they aim to provide a more holistic approach to assessing the value and potential impacts of hydroelectric generation in Maine.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (8)
Brad Farrin (R)*,
Scott Cyrway (R),
Flavia DeBrito (D),
Jack Ducharme (R),
Jennifer Poirier (R),
Shelley Rudnicki (R),
Trey Stewart (R),
Jeff Timberlake (R),
Last Action
Placed in the Legislative Files. (DEAD) (on 05/22/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1210&snum=132 |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0499&item=1&snum=132 |
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