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PUC Issues Final Order in Utility Integrated Grid Plans
On July 31, 2026 the Maine PUC issued final order final order regarding the integrated grid plans or IGPs.
“For the reasons discussed below, the Commission finds and concludes that the inaugural integrated grid plans meet the requirements of the Commission’s July 12, 2024 order in this docket and the integrated grid planning statute. The Commission also finds and concludes that the issues or areas of concern identified by the Commission Staff and public commenters do not constitute deficiencies in the grid plans but instead provide areas for clarification and improvement for future integrated grid plans.”
“For the reasons discussed below, the Commission finds and concludes that the inaugural IGPs, which include the utilities’ supplemental filings, comply with the IGP Order, including Attachments C and D, and section 3147. The Commission also finds and concludes that the issues or areas of concern identified by the Commission Staff and public commenters do not constitute deficiencies in the grid plans but instead provide areas for clarification and improvement for future IGPs. These issues are discussed in greater detail below. The Commission also finds and concludes that all other aspects of the IGPs meet the requirements of the IGP Order, Attachments C and D, and section 3147. At the outset, the Commission notes that it shares the sentiment expressed by many public commenters and the utilities regarding the substantial work done to date by stakeholders, utilities, and the Commission in the more than three and a half years since opening this docket. As the Commission stated in the IGP Order, the grid plans will inform future proceedings and grid plan requirements and will be an important tool in developing a more holistic planning process to meet Maine’s future needs. IGP Order at 36. The IGPs will also help prioritize and target investments, which is increasingly more important given affordability concerns.”
The first deficient issue Staff identified was the lack of analysis of reliability investments in CMP’s IGP.
The second issue Staff identified was the lack of information and analyses regarding the costs associated with shifting to time series analysis.
Another issue Staff identified was the lack of analysis of reliability investments in Versant’s IGP as an issue requiring further information from Versant.
