In 1999 Maine’s Public Utility Commission implemented rules for the state’s Renewable Resource Portfolio Requirement. The rules require state electricity providers to generate 30 percent of their total retail sales from renewable sources. At the time of adoption however, the renewables percentage requirement exceeded the percentage of renewables in supply.
In 2006 the Maine legislature passed a law requiring a 10 percent increase in new renewable energy capacity by 2017. Qualifying sources include wind, solar, geothermal, hydropower, biomass, or power generated by solid waste in conjunction with recycling. The increase is set on a graduated scale.
Maine’s renewable requirement provides for Generation Information System (GIS) certificates, similar to Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), to meet the requirement. Community-based renewable energy products receive a 1.5 credit multiplier.
Maine utilities may pay an alternative compliance payment (ACP) instead of purchasing GIS certificates. The ACP is adjusted yearly for inflation. In 2010 the ACP was $61 per megawatt hour (MWh). The PUC can fine or revoke the license of any utility that fails to meet the requirement, or waive the requirement if it feels the utility made a good faith effort to meet the requirement.
Maine also has a separate wind capacity goal. Beginning in 2015 Maine must have 2,000 MW of installed capacity, and then 3,000 MW by 2015, and 8,000 MW by 2030. The mandate also requires certain percentages of the wind requirement to come from coastal or offshore sources.
Source: Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency