§3143. Declaration of policy on smart grid infrastructure
1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
A. "Smart grid" means the integration of information and communications innovations and infrastructure with the electric system to enhance the efficiency, reliability and functioning of the system through smart grid functions.
We will couple your appliances and electric devices with your smart meter to control your electric usage to the benefit of the state and friends of the state
B. "Smart grid coordinator" means an entity, authorized by the commission in accordance with subsection 5, that manages access to smart grid functions and associated infrastructure, technology and applications within the service territory of a transmission and distribution utility.
We will appoint a bureaucrat that will be unreachable to you as we control your electricity use.
C. "Smart grid functions" means those functions that advance the policy of the United States as specified in the federal Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, Public Law 110-140, Section 1301, including functions that enable consumers to access information about and to manage and adjust their electricity consumption or to generate and store electricity and functions specified in Section 1306(d) of that Act.
We will make it look like you can save a lot of money if you switch your " electricity use " behavior to suit the State, All of it will be on a website, just follow the State's directions
2. Legislative findings. The Legislature finds that:
A. The cost of electricity to consumers in this State is high in comparison to costs in similar markets and impedes economic development;
The State says you pay too much for electricity and we will help
B. The State has recognized the consequences of climate change and has committed to policies to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases
The State is smarter than you
C. The State's electric grid and long-term infrastructure investment are vital to continued security and economic development, and smart grid functions will deliver electricity from suppliers to consumers using modern technology to increase reliability and reduce costs in a way that saves energy and to enable greater consumer choice;
The State must control your electricity usage. You choose your supplier and you can expect the same treatment you get from your cable TV provider.
D. The State currently lacks a comprehensive smart grid policy but faces critical decisions regarding the implementation of smart grid functions and associated infrastructure, technology and applications, and the commission and the Legislature will play central roles in making those decisions; and
Trust the State. We will never let you down.
E. It is vital that a smart grid policy be developed in order to ensure that all ratepayers and the State as a whole are afforded the benefits of smart grid functions and associated infrastructure, technology and applications.
Don't try to get out of this, the State will make you pay.
3. Smart grid policy; goals. In order to improve the overall reliability and efficiency of the electric system, reduce ratepayers' costs in a way that improves the overall efficiency of electric energy resources, reduce and better manage energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is the policy of the State to promote in a timely and responsible manner, with consideration of all relevant factors, the development, implementation, availability and use of smart grid functions and associated infrastructure, technology and applications in the State through:
The State prefers to rush this boondoggle into implementation before you catch on.
A. Increased use of digital information and control technology to improve the reliability, security and efficiency of the electric system;
The State will possess all information of your energy use and will have the ability to control it for the benefit iof the State.
B. Deployment and integration into the electric system of renewable capacity resources, as defined in section 3210-C, subsection 1, paragraph E, that are interconnected to the electric grid at a voltage level less than 69 kilovolts;
The State has friends in the solar and wind industries that the State must keep happy for the State's benefits
C. Deployment and integration into the electric system of demand response technologies, demand-side resources and energy-efficiency resources;
The State plans to use certain methods to further enrich Efficiency Maine Trust, the lead agency assigned to control your electricity use.
D. Deployment of smart grid technologies, including real-time, automated, interactive technologies that optimize the physical operation of energy-consuming appliances and devices, for purposes of metering, communications concerning grid operation and status and distribution system operations;
The State will decide when you can use electricity during the day.
E. Deployment and integration into the electric system of advanced electric storage and peak-reduction technologies, including plug-in electric and hybrid electric vehicles;
The State will allow batteries only when the State can control them for the State's benefits.
F. Provision to consumers of timely energy consumption information and control options; and
The State will try to warn you just before turning off your electric devices and appliances
G. Identification and elimination of barriers to adoption of smart grid functions and associated infrastructure, technology and applications.
Beware, the State will identify and eliminate your electricity if you resist.
It is the policy of the State to promote the development, implementation, availability and use of smart grid functions in accordance with this subsection in a manner that is consistent with applicable standards for reliability, safety, security and privacy and that takes into account the implementation of smart grid functions in other jurisdictions.
The commission may adopt rules regarding the implementation of smart grid functions in the State in accordance with this subsection, including, but not limited to, rules regarding cybersecurity and protection of consumer privacy, and access to smart grid infrastructure and information, including, but not limited to, open access issues, coordination between smart grid users and methods to address financial disincentives for transmission and distribution utilities to promote smart grid functions. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as described in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
The State will compensate the transmission and distribution utilities in exchange for their cooperation. This compensation will appear as extra costs on your monthly electric bill
4. Resource assessment policy. In order to meet the goals of the smart grid policy as specified in subsection 3, it is the policy of the State that all available energy resources be assessed, including but not limited to the following types of resources:
A. Energy efficiency;
The State will assign Efficiency Maine Trust to assess your efficient use of electricity
B. Demand management, including but not limited to establishment of time-of-use tariffs and performance-based rates;
The State will manage your electricity demand according to "timely use "
C. Renewable resources, as defined in section 3210, subsection 2, paragraph C;
The State develops all these rules to advance 100% wind, solar and battery resources to generate the State's electricity portfolio.
D. Energy resources, other than those listed in paragraph C, that are located in the State and are interconnected to the electric grid at a voltage level of less than 69 kilovolts;
The State plans to create thousands of solar installer jobs by keeping generation small and widespread throughout the State.
E. Transmission lines for which a certificate of public convenience and necessity is required under section 3132, subsection 2.
The State will determine how to wire everything together, the ratepayers will pay for it.
5. Smart grid coordinator; authorization by the Public Utilities Commission; rules. Upon petition, the commission shall open an adjudicatory proceeding to determine whether it is in the public interest of the State to have one or more smart grid coordinators in order to achieve the purposes of and implement the policies specified in this section. If, in an adjudicatory proceeding conducted pursuant to this subsection, the commission finds that it is in the public interest, the commission may adopt, by rule or as part of the adjudicatory proceeding, standards regarding smart grid coordinators, including but not limited to:
The PUC will add a bureaucrat to oversee the State's interests in controlling your electricity use
A. Eligibility, qualification and selection criteria;
The smart grid coordinator(s) will be appointed by the State, for the State and of the State.
B. Duties and functions;
The Smart Grid Man will have absolute power over your power.
C. The application or exemption from any provisions of this Title otherwise applicable to public utilities;
The Smart Grid Man will work with public utility men to determine who bills you for what service.
D. The relationship between a smart grid coordinator and a transmission and distribution utility;
Same as C above
E. Access to information held by the smart grid coordinator by 2nd and 3rd parties;
The Smart Grid Man may share your information as the PUC sees fit.
F. Data collection and reporting.
The PUC and Smart Grid Man shall collect all of your information as they see fits the needs of these rules
Pursuant to standards adopted by rule or in an adjudicatory proceeding pursuant to this subsection, the commission may authorize no more than one smart grid coordinator within each transmission and distribution utility service territory. A smart grid coordinator authorized under this subsection may operate as a transmission and distribution utility, under a commission-approved contract with a transmission and distribution utility or in some other manner approved by the commission. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
The State isn't sure just how to arrange for coordination of these rules with the utilities, but this will not stop implementation
Sections 6 through 8 are methods of keeping the rates of return for Transmission and Distribution Utilities at present levels and T&D Utilities will work with the PUC to adjust customer rates to make this happen. The PUC will determine their own costs of administration and attach these costs to the customer rate base.
Sections 9, 10 and 11 are reporting an consumer education requirements that shall be written in the same incoherent manner as this statute is.Good Luck
Comment by Eskutassis on January 15, 2019 at 12:03pm
Comment by arthur qwenk on January 13, 2019 at 4:10pm
Comment by Long Islander on January 13, 2019 at 10:38am
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