electric bills Archives - Lewiston Sun Journal

State’s public advocate seeks $75 electricity credit for low-income Mainers

The request comes ahead of rate hikes for customers of Central Maine Power Co. and Versant Power that go into effect next month.

by Staff Report October 18, 2022October 18, 2022

A state program will provide credits of more than $2,000 to hundreds of businesses to provide relief from high electric rates.

New England’s natural gas crunch and Russia’s war are pushing electric rates higher.

State utility regulators estimate the average residential customer bill will decrease by $3.40 a month, or 2.7 percent of the total bill.

The proposed contract’s likely impact on Maine electricity customers is being shielded from public view, for now.

More than 2,000 Maine households have been disconnected over the past month, and tens of thousands more are struggling with past-due balances.

Many opponents either said the bill is a cynical ploy to maintain the status quo, or government overreach to address problems that don’t exist.