Resolve, Directing the Public Utilities Commission to Convene a Stakeholder Group Regarding Liquefied Propane Gas Systems and the So-called Dig Safe Law

Sec. 1.  Public Utilities Commission to convene stakeholder group relating to liquefied propane gas. Resolved: That the Public Utilities Commission, referred to in this resolve as “the commission,” shall convene a group of stakeholders under section 2 to discuss matters relating to liquefied propane gas, including:

1. The amendment to then-existing law in Public Law 2019, chapter 592, section 1;
2. Amending the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 23, section 3360-A to provide for the least administratively burdensome manner of membership and participation in an underground facility damage prevention system for liquefied propane gas distribution systems that have an underground tank or pipe; and
3. The appropriateness of exempting certain liquefied propane gas distribution systems that have an underground tank or pipe from membership and participation in an underground facility damage prevention system.

Sec. 2.  Stakeholder group.  Resolved: That members of the stakeholder group in section 1 must include:

1. One or more representatives from the Maine Energy Marketers Association;
2. One or more representatives from the Propane Gas Association of New England;
3. One or more individuals who own or operate a liquefied propane gas distribution system of various sizes that has an underground tank or pipe; and
4. Any other person that the commission determines necessary to ensure that all interests regarding the discussion in section 1 are represented fairly.

Sec. 3.  Report. Resolved: That, by December 6, 2023, the commission shall submit a report summarizing the discussion under section 1 and any recommended legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology, which may report out legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature.

SUMMARY

This resolve directs the Public Utilities Commission to convene a stakeholder group to discuss the provisions in law requiring an underground facility damage prevention system, commonly called the “Dig Safe Law,” regarding liquefied propane gas systems that have an underground tank or pipe, including recent amendments made to the law regarding liquefied propane gas systems and reducing the administrative burden on or possible exemption of certain liquefied propane gas systems from membership and participation in an underground facility damage prevention system. The resolve directs the commission to submit a report summarizing the stakeholder group’s discussion and any recommended legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature.