An Act To Replace The Maine Waterway Development And Conservation Act With The Maine Renewable Energy And Associated Transmission Development And Conservation Act

This bill replaces Maine's 1983 Waterway Development and Conservation Act with a new law called the Maine Renewable Energy and Associated Transmission Development and Conservation Act, which applies to hydropower, wind, solar, biomass, and other clean energy projects. The legislation creates a single permit application process administered by the state department to streamline approval for projects using 5-megawatt or larger clean energy resources, including transmission lines and related infrastructure. Starting March 1, 2027, developers must obtain this permit before beginning construction, reconstruction, or expansion of qualifying renewable energy projects, while the law preserves permits already issued before the act takes effect. The bill classifies certain department rules as routine technical rules to expedite regulatory review, and it defines beneficial electrification to align with existing state definitions.