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132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST REGULAR SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 556S.P. 218 In Senate, February 11, 2025
An Act to Preserve Heating and Energy Choice by Prohibiting a
Municipality from Prohibiting a Particular Energy System or
Energy Distributor
Reference to the Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator HARRINGTON of York.
Cosponsored by Representative GREENWOOD of Wales and
Senators: BALDACCI of Penobscot, STEWART of Aroostook, Representatives: FOSTER of
Dexter, PAUL of Winterport. Page 1 - 132LR1016(01)
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2 is enacted to read:
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4 Unless otherwise authorized by statute, a municipality may not adopt any ordinance or
5 regulation that prohibits the use of a safe and commercially available heating or energy
6 system of an individual's or entity's choice to serve the individual's or entity's heating or
7 energy needs, including the heating or energy needs of a motor vehicle, or that prohibits
8 the individual or entity from engaging the services of a person or energy distributor to
9 install, connect, service or resupply such a system. As used in this section, "energy
10 distributor" means an individual or entity allowed to distribute or supply oil, propane,
11 natural gas or wood or renewable resources or other related energy services to consumers
12 in the State and "renewable resources" has the same meaning as in Title 35-A, section 3210,
13 subsection 2, paragraph C.
14 This section does not limit the authority of a municipality to encourage the use of a
15 particular type of heating or energy system or to spend funds in support of a particular type
16 of heating or energy system. This section does not exempt any person or energy distributor
17 that installs, connects, services or resupplies a heating or energy system from applicable
18 licensing or other requirements governing such activities.
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20 This bill prohibits municipalities from prohibiting an individual or entity from using a
21 heating or energy system for that individual's or entity's own heating or energy needs,
22 including the heating or energy needs of a motor vehicle, or engaging the services of a
23 person or energy distributor of that individual's or entity's choice unless the prohibition is
24 otherwise authorized by statute.
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