Maine’s largest utility also agreed to improve how it documents its preparation for storms and recovery afterward to better justify reimbursement from ratepayers.
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Posted inBusiness
Maine regulators order audit of Versant Power after multiple rate increases
State utility regulators did not give reasons why they ordered an audit of Maine’s second-largest utility, but it acted after rate increases this year and in 2023 and a request for another in 2025.
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Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
CMP, Maine near settlement over complaint utility overspent on power restoration
Central Maine Power Co. and the state’s public advocate are nearing agreement on how much the utility can charge ratepayers for storm recovery costs.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
State regulators reject settlement with Electricity Maine over customer complaints
The Public Utilities Commission turns down a proposed settlement with Electricity Maine, saying it falls short of what’s needed to punish the company, and orders staff to renew its efforts to find a resolution to the long-running dispute.
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Maine’s public advocate criticizes state’s tentative settlement with Electricity Maine
Under the agreement, thousands of customers who were overcharged for electricity would be reimbursed anywhere from $10 to $4,000. But Public Advocate Bill Harwood says stricter sanctions are needed.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Maine House rebuffs plan to use performance as guide for utility rates
Several Democrats joined solid Republican opposition to reject legislation that proposes a first step in judging utilities’ performance when setting rates.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Maine regulators might let utilities report surges in power use as way to identify illegal cannabis grows
Versant Power, which calls illegal marijuana operations an ‘escalating problem,’ proposed the change to allow it, CMP and other utilities to disclose confidential customer information to law enforcement when there is ‘good faith belief’ of a crime.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Central Maine Power asks regulators for $162 million reimbursement for storm repairs
If approved by regulators, electricity rates will go up for more than 635,000 CMP customers.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Energy storage is growing in Maine, and utilities want to own it. Opponents are pushing back.
Central Maine Power and Versant Power are making their case to state regulators, but critics say it would weaken competition in a growing wind and solar energy sector.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Environmentalists, consumer advocates at odds with businesses over plan to scale back natural gas
Proposed legislation targets natural gas expansion to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but business groups and Republicans say it will damage Maine’s economy.