An Act to Require Maine Transmission and Distribution Utility Participation in a Regional Transmission Organization
Summary
Maine's 132nd Legislature passed LD2038 on April 2, 2026, enacted as law, requiring all transmission and distribution utilities in Maine to participate in a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO). The bill, sponsored by Rep. Christopher Kessler, passed the House 74-65 after significant amendment and the Senate 27-8. Utilities must now comply with this mandatory RTO participation requirement.
What changed
LD2038 enacts a new mandate requiring Maine transmission and distribution utilities to participate in a Regional Transmission Organization. The bill was substantially amended through Committee Amendment H-880 and Senate Amendment S-585 before final passage. The legislation establishes specific participation requirements for electric utilities operating within Maine's jurisdiction, affecting how grid operations and wholesale market participation are managed.
Maine transmission and distribution utilities must immediately assess which RTO applies to their service territory and begin compliance planning. While the effective date is April 2, 2026, utilities should review operational and contractual changes needed to satisfy the participation mandate. Non-compliance with state utility law may result in regulatory penalties and enforcement action by Maine utility regulators.
What to do next
- Identify the applicable RTO for your utility service territory
- Review current grid operations and market participation arrangements for compliance gaps
- Develop and implement participation plans to meet RTO requirements under Maine law
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Maine / LD2038 Passed LD2038 LD Passed 2026-04-02
An Act to Require Maine Transmission and Distribution Utility Participation in a Regional Transmission Organization
Bill Details
State Maine
Session 132nd Legislature
Chamber House
Official Source legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_...
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Sponsors
Christopher Kessler (Rep - D)
Action History
2026-04-02 S PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence. 2026-03-31 H Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. 2026-03-31 H PASSED TO BE ENACTED. 2026-03-30 H ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. 2026-03-30 H ROLL CALL NO. 695 (Yeas 74 - Nays 65 - Absent 11 - Excused 0 - Vacant 1) 2026-03-30 H The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-880) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-585) thereto. 2026-03-26 S Sent down for concurrence. 2026-03-26 S Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-880) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-585) thereto in NON-CONCURRENCE. 2026-03-26 S Committee Amendment "A" (H-880) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-585) thereto ADOPTED. 2026-03-26 S On motion by Same Senator Senate Amendment "A" (S-585) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-880) READ and ADOPTED. 2026-03-26 S Committee Amendment "A" (H-880) READ. 2026-03-26 S READ ONCE. 2026-03-26 S Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 802 Yeas 27 - Nays 8 - Excused 0 - Absent 0 2026-03-26 S On motion by Senator LAWRENCE of York The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-880) Report ACCEPTED. 2026-03-26 S Taken from the table by the President 2026-03-25 S Unfinished Business 2026-03-25 S On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending ACCEPTANCE OF EITHER REPORT. 2026-03-25 S Reports READ 2026-03-24 H Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. 2026-03-24 H The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-880). 2026-03-24 H Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading. 2026-03-24 H Committee Amendment "A" (H-880) was READ and ADOPTED. 2026-03-24 H The Bill was READ ONCE. 2026-03-24 H ROLL CALL NO. 667 (Yeas 77 - Nays 67 - Absent 5 - Excused 1 - Vacant 1) 2026-03-24 H On motion of Representative SACHS of Freeport, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED. 2026-03-24 H Reports READ. 2026-03-20 J Reported Out: OTP-AM/ONTP 2026-02-19 J Voted: Divided Report 2026-02-19 J Work Session Reconsidered 2026-01-29 J Voted: Divided Report 2026-01-29 J Work Session Held 2025-12-03 H The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401. 2025-12-03 H Received by the Clerk of the House on December 3, 2025.
Votes
2026-03-24 Acc Maj Otp As Amended Rep RC #667 Yea: 77 Nay: 67 2026-03-26 Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #802 Yea: 27 Nay: 8 2026-03-30 Recede And Concur RC #695 Yea: 74 Nay: 65
Committee Referrals
2025-12-03 J Energy, Utilities And Technology
Amendments
0000-00-00 House: C-A (H-880) Adopted 0000-00-00 Senate: S-A (S-585) Adopted 0000-00-00 Senate: S-A to C-A (S-585) Adopted
Bill Text Versions
0000-00-00 Introduced
Subjects
Electric Utilities Planning Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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