126th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 616		LR 1088(05)
	An Act To Amend the Expedited Permitting Area for Wind Energy Development under the Jurisdiction of the Maine Land Use Planning Commission
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
			FY 2013-14	FY 2014-15	Projections  FY 2015-16	Projections  FY 2016-17
Net Cost (Savings)
	General Fund		$0	$18,944	$51,954	$32,192
Appropriations/Allocations
	General Fund		$0	$18,944	$51,954	$32,192
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	The bill requires the Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) under the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to conduct rulemaking related to removing a township, plantation or municipality from the expedited permitting area. This bill requires the LUPC to establish a petitioning process allowing a location to request removal from the expedited permitting area, as well as to hold a public hearing when the petition has been received. The bill includes a General Fund appropriation of $9,644 in fiscal year 2014-15, as well as requiring appropriations of $13,538 in fiscal year 2015-16 and $3,572 in fiscal year 2016-17, for costs related to rulemaking, public hearings, commissioner meetings and newspaper advertising. This bill includes a General Fund appropriation of $9,300 in fiscal year 2014-15, and will require appropriations of $38,416 in fiscal year 2015-16 and $28,620 in fiscal year 2016-17, for the hiring of a half-time Planning & Research Associate II position to assist with the removal process of locations from the expedited permitting area. This position is anticipated to be filled in April 2015 and is expected to be terminated in March 2017.