Bangor Hydro project to proceed

BANGOR (AP) – An agreement that seeks to expedite regulatory reviews will enable Bangor Hydro-Electric Co. to proceed with plans for an 85-mile power transmission line from Orrington to Baileyville, Maine’s two U.S. senators said Tuesday.

Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins said the agreement calls for the Maine Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency to issue a permit to the utility in a timely manner.

The project, known as the Northeast Reliability Interconnect, would supply Maine with additional supplies of energy and save the state $100 million over six years, the senators said.

Utility company seeks to hike rates

PRESQUE ISLE (AP) – Maine Public Service Co. is asking for regulatory approval to raise its rates by 4 percent in average retail electricity rates.

MPS, the electric transmission and distribution subsidiary of Maine & Maritimes Corp., is seeking a distribution rate increase to draw $2.7 million in revenue.

“The company’s last distribution rate increase was approximately three years ago,” said MPS President Brent Boyles. “Since then, we, like other operating businesses, have experienced a number of increased costs associated with our distribution operations, such as increased fuel, taxes, regulatory compliance and insurance costs.”

The utility said Tuesday it has notified the state Public Utilities Commission of its intention to file for the increase. If the PUC approves it, the company would adjust its rates later this year.