‘An Act To Improve Maine's Economy and Energy Security with Cost-effective Technologies’
Amend the amendment by striking out the substitute title and replacing it with the following:
Amend the amendment in section 1 in §10121-A in the first line (page 1, line 16 in amendment) by striking out the following: " Renewable Energy Rebate Program Fund" and inserting in its place the following: ' Solar Energy and Heat Pump Rebate Program Fund'
Amend the amendment in section 1 in §10121-A by striking out all of subsection 1 (page 1, lines 17 to 23 in amendment) and inserting the following:
‘ 1. Fund established. There is established the Solar Energy and Heat Pump Rebate Program Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," to be used by the trust solely for the purpose of providing rebates for cost-effective solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies and heat pumps. The funding, use and administration of the fund is governed by this section. Any interest on the funds in the fund must be credited to the fund. Funds not spent in any fiscal year do not lapse but must remain in the fund to be used for the purposes of this section.’
Amend the amendment in section 1 in §10121-A by striking out all of subsection 3 (page 2, lines 3 to 12 in amendment) and inserting the following:
‘ 3. Administration; eligibility. The trust shall administer rebates under this section in accordance with the following.
A. The trust shall establish by rule criteria for determining eligibility of a solar photovoltaic or solar thermal technology or heat pumps under this section.
B. The trust shall establish by rule criteria for determining eligibility of persons for rebates, including the following restrictions:
(1) A natural person may receive a rebate under this section only if that person is a resident of this State and is eligible to participate in the Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program administered through the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The trust shall establish proof of residency requirements by rule; and
(2) Other entities, including, but not limited to, commercial, nonprofit or government entities, may receive rebates only for solar photovoltaic or solar thermal technologies and only as long as the facility on which the eligible technology is installed is located in this State.
Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as provided in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.’
Amend the amendment by striking out all of section 2 and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
EFFICIENCY MAINE TRUST
Solar Energy and Heat Pump Rebate Program Fund N177
Initiative: Provides an allocation of $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2014-15 for rebates to persons eligible to participate in the Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program for the installation and use of cost-effective solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies and heat pumps. Certain entities may receive these rebates, but only for the installation and use of cost-effective solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies.
| OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
|
All Other
|
$0 | $1,000,000 |
 |
|
|
| OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL | $0 | $1,000,000 |
SUMMARY
This amendment changes the name of the fund established in Committee Amendment "A" to the Solar Energy and Heat Pump Rebate Program Fund and expands the permitted use of the fund to include rebates for heat pumps. The amendment requires the Efficiency Maine Trust to establish, by routine technical rules, criteria for eligibility of technology and entities. Only individuals who are natural persons and residents of this State and who qualify for the Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program are eligible to receive rebates for both solar technologies and heat pumps. Other entities qualify for rebates only for solar technologies and only if the solar technologies are installed on facilities located in this State.
This amendment also replaces the appropriations and allocations section in Committee Amendment "A" to effect the changes made in this amendment.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)