LD 1130 updates Maine’s energy storage policy goals. The bill amends the state’s existing energy storage statute to set a target of at least 300 megawatts of installed energy storage capacity in the state by December 31, 2025, and at least 400 megawatts by December 31, 2030. It also changes the timing for review of the goal, requiring the Governor’s Energy Office to reevaluate the target beginning January 1, 2027, and every two years thereafter when updating the state energy plan.
Under the bill, the Governor’s Energy Office may increase the state goal for energy storage development during the energy plan update process, and any increase must be reported to the Legislature’s energy and utilities committee. The bill does not create a direct mandate to build storage facilities, but it strengthens the state’s planning framework and keeps the storage target tied to periodic state energy planning. The bill was enacted as Public Law chapter 105 and approved by the Governor on May 23, 2025.
Impact
The bill amends 35-A MRSA §3145, Maine’s energy storage policy goals statute, by revising the timeline for review and potential adjustment of the state’s storage target and by extending the planning horizon to 2030. It affects the Governor’s Energy Office’s responsibilities in preparing the state energy plan and increases legislative oversight through required reporting to the energy and utilities committee. The practical effect is to reinforce state policy support for energy storage development and signal continued state interest in expanding grid-scale and other storage resources.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript or recorded votes, so there is no documented debate or roll-call evidence of opposition. The bill’s enactment into law suggests it was generally acceptable to lawmakers and consistent with broader state energy policy goals. Overall, the sentiment appears favorable toward advancing energy storage as part of Maine’s clean energy and grid planning efforts.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Based on the text, any potential debate would likely have centered on whether the state should set a higher storage target, how quickly the target should be revisited, and the extent of discretion given to the Governor’s Energy Office to increase the goal. However, the record provided does not identify any legislators, agencies, utilities, or other stakeholders as taking opposing positions.
Energy; creating the Energy Storage Resource Safety Act; energy storage resources; report; emergency operations plan; State Fire Marshall; fees; Solar Energy Development Act; statements; records; Corporation Commission; emergency.
Increases the statewide energy storage capacity to six gigawatts by the year 2030, twelve gigawatts of statewide energy storage capacity by 2040, and seventeen gigawatts of statewide energy storage capacity by 2050.