An 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

This bill requires renewable energy projects (solar, wind, and major transmission lines) to pay a compensation fee equal to the average value of the undeveloped land they occupy. The fee must be deposited into Maine's Land for Maine's Future Trust Fund. Developers are exempt from fees for projects on already-developed land, designated growth areas in municipal plans, or contaminated sites (like brownfields or PFAS-affected properties). The bill also specifies that the Department of Environmental Protection must consider only six defined wildlife habitats (including endangered species areas and critical bird nesting sites) when assessing project impacts.