An Act to Reverse Recent Changes Made to the Law Governing Net Energy Billing and Distributed Generation
Summary
LD 515 would roll back Maine’s current net energy billing and distributed generation framework and replace it with rules intended to be substantially similar to the version in effect on March 29, 2017. The bill directs the Public Utilities Commission to begin rulemaking to amend Chapter 313, Customer Net Energy Billing, and makes the rule changes a major substantive rule. In practical terms, it would undo a series of changes enacted in recent years affecting how customer-generated electricity is credited, how distributed generation resources are defined, and how certain interconnection and eligibility standards are applied.
The bill also repeals or revises multiple related provisions in Title 35-A that depend on the newer net energy billing and distributed generation laws. Those changes would affect solar projects, energy storage systems, customer-owned generation, utility billing credits, interconnection agreements, and related commission rules. It also adjusts cross-references and definitions so the statute would remain internally consistent if the newer provisions are removed.
Impact
If enacted, LD 515 would substantially change Maine utility law by restoring an earlier net energy billing regime and eliminating or narrowing several provisions adopted after Public Law 2019, chapter 478. The bill would affect the Public Utilities Commission’s rulemaking authority, transmission and distribution utilities, distributed generation developers, solar and storage project owners, and customers participating in net energy billing. It would also alter statutory definitions and eligibility rules for projects that receive bill credits or interconnection treatment, with likely consequences for existing and planned renewable energy projects.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill faced significant opposition. On June 16, 2025, the House rejected an “Ought Not To Pass” report by a narrow margin, 77-71, indicating the chamber was closely divided on the proposal. The Senate then accepted the majority “Ought Not To Pass” report, 20-14, which shows that the prevailing sentiment in the Legislature was against reversing the recent net energy billing changes. No committee transcript excerpts were provided, so the record here reflects the votes more than any detailed floor or committee debate.
Contention
The main point of contention is whether Maine should restore the older net energy billing structure or keep the more recent reforms. Supporters of the bill appear to favor reversing changes they view as unfavorable to distributed generation and customer-owned renewable energy, while opponents likely see the recent framework as the current policy baseline and may be concerned about disruption to utility regulation, project financing, and implementation of newer rules. The bill’s treatment of grandfathering, interconnection deadlines, and project eligibility for solar and storage resources is especially likely to be contested because those provisions can determine which projects remain viable under state law.