Bill
Bill > LD1458
ME LD1458
ME LD1458An Act Regarding Compensation Fees and Related Conservation Efforts for Solar and Wind Energy Development and High-impact Electric Transmission Lines Under the Site Location of Development Laws
summary
Introduced
04/08/2025
04/08/2025
In Committee
04/08/2025
04/08/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
05/29/2025
05/29/2025
Introduced Session
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
Under current law, the Department of Environmental Protection is required to establish and maintain a compensation fee program to offset the adverse effects of a renewable energy development project and to determine the compensation fee amounts based on criteria established by the department. This bill removes the requirement that the department establish the criteria for compensation and instead requires a compensation fee equal to the average value of the undeveloped land occupied by the renewable energy development project, with certain exceptions. The bill also specifies which wildlife habitats the department may consider for purposes of determining an adverse effect. Finally, the bill changes rules adopted by the department to routine technical rules.
AI Summary
This bill modifies existing environmental protection laws regarding compensation fees for renewable energy development projects. The bill defines "average value of undeveloped land" and "undeveloped land" by referencing existing tax code definitions. It limits the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) assessment of wildlife habitat impacts to specific categories, including high-value deer wintering habitats, habitats of threatened or endangered species, seabird nesting islands, significant vernal pools, inland waterfowl and wading bird habitats, and shorebird nesting areas, explicitly excluding large undeveloped habitat blocks. The bill establishes a compensation fee calculation method based on the average value of undeveloped land occupied by a renewable energy project, with exceptions for certain areas like designated growth zones, brownfields, and PFAS-contaminated properties. The compensation fees collected will be deposited into the Land for Maine's Future Trust Fund, and the rule-making process for these regulations will be changed from major substantive rules to routine technical rules, which typically involve less legislative oversight. This change aims to streamline the process for assessing and collecting compensation fees for renewable energy developments while providing more specific guidelines for environmental impact assessments.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (6)
Craig Hickman (D)*,
Russell Black (R),
Chip Curry (D),
Matt Harrington (R),
Jeff Timberlake (R),
Nathan Wadsworth (R),
Last Action
Placed in the Legislative Files. (DEAD) (on 05/29/2025)
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1458&snum=132 |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0599&item=1&snum=132 |
Loading...