For years, Mainers were told that skyrocketing electric bills were simply the cost of living here. It always felt like we were being robbed. Now we know that feeling was on to something.

On March 19, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) ruled that New England transmission owners — including Central Maine Power and Versant — were earning “unjust and unreasonable” returns from ratepayers. According to the Maine Office of the Public Advocate, the decision could result in more than $1.5 billion in refunds, with interest, across New England.

Maine families and small businesses struggled to pay some of the highest electric bills in the country while power companies continue to collect profits that federal regulators have now determined were excessive. Companies have been overcharging customers for years — they shouldn’t get to keep that plunder.

Yet instead of making ratepayers whole, utilities are dragging their feet on issuing refunds while seeking another rate increase before next winter.

We shouldn’t assume these refunds will simply appear on our bills. Contact our state legislators, the Maine Office of the Public Advocate and the Maine Public Utilities Commission. Let’s demand full refunds with interest, no unnecessary delays and clear, direct bill credits.

Learn more by searching “FERC March 19, 2026 transmission return on equity” or “Maine Office of the Public Advocate transmission refunds.”

Mainers paid the bills. If federal regulators found those profits were unjust and unreasonable, then every dollar owed should be returned to the people who it was taken from.

Kristi Shaw
Hampden