ME LD839

Prohibits transmission and distribution utilities from recovering net energy billing program costs through customer rates after June 30, 2026, shifting these costs to Maine's General Fund instead.

Establishes the Net Energy Billing Cost Stabilization Fund, a nonlapsing fund within the Public Utilities Commission to receive General Fund appropriations and pay program costs to utilities.

Requires the PUC to adopt rules for distributing funds to utilities and to submit legislation requesting necessary General Fund appropriations.

Mandates utilities provide annual cost estimates to the PUC and establishes a reconciliation process to return any overpayments to the fund.

Defines covered costs as lost transmission/distribution revenue from kilowatt-hour credits, bill credits paid to commercial/institutional customers, and utility administrative costs for net energy billing programs.