Maine’s Integrated Grid Planning Legislation

In May 2022, Maine’s enacted LD 1959, requiring electric utilities to undertake an “integrated grid planning” process every five years, and for those plans to support the state’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050, relative to 1990 levels.

The law requires utilities to develop multiple demand forecasts, consider the locational value of distributed resources, and analyze grid constraints that have slowed Maine’s ability to interconnect more renewables. In addition, utilities Central Maine Power and Versant Power could face penalties for failing to meet service standards set by state regulators.