Amid a proposed rate hike, Central Maine Power customers are already struggling to pay their bills
Central Maine Power is asking state regulators to approve a rate increase that could eventually raise the average residential electric bill by about $18 per month.8 Investigates analyzed public records to find out how many households are already struggling to pay their bills. Families that can’t afford to pay their electric bills risk having their power disconnected.Under Maine law, utility companies cannot disconnect residential customers between Nov. 15 and April 15 to protect people from losing heat during the coldest months. Outside that period, however, customers who fall behind on payments can lose electricity, leaving them without refrigeration, lights, air conditioning and other essential services.According to Maine Public Utilities Commission filings, that happened to Central Maine Power customers 38,251 times in 2025.Before a disconnection occurs, customers receive a notice and have an opportunity to enroll in a payment plan to avoid losing service.During the past three years, the number of disconnection notices sent and the number of households that received notices decreased each year. Last year, 96,020 households received at least one disconnection notice, continuing a steady decline from 2023 and 2024. But, despite the decrease in notices, each year, a growing share of those notices resulted in actual disconnections.Based on the public filings, it is unclear how many unique households were disconnected; some customers may have been disconnected multiple times. 8 Investigates is working to obtain additional data to better understand how many individual households were affected. There may be several factors contributing to the increase in disconnections. The trend does not appear to directly correlate with electricity rates, which declined in 2024 before increasing again in 2025. During the past three years, tens of thousands of CMP customers entered payment plans with the company. Customers struggling to pay their bills are encouraged to contact their utility provider as early as possible, before receiving a disconnection notice. Those who still need assistance can also contact the Maine Office of the Public Advocate.
Central Maine Power is asking state regulators to approve a rate increase that could eventually raise the average residential electric bill by about $18 per month.
8 Investigates analyzed public records to find out how many households are already struggling to pay their bills.
Families that can’t afford to pay their electric bills risk having their power disconnected.
Under Maine law, utility companies cannot disconnect residential customers between Nov. 15 and April 15 to protect people from losing heat during the coldest months. Outside that period, however, customers who fall behind on payments can lose electricity, leaving them without refrigeration, lights, air conditioning and other essential services.
According to Maine Public Utilities Commission filings, that happened to Central Maine Power customers 38,251 times in 2025.
Before a disconnection occurs, customers receive a notice and have an opportunity to enroll in a payment plan to avoid losing service.
During the past three years, the number of disconnection notices sent and the number of households that received notices decreased each year. Last year, 96,020 households received at least one disconnection notice, continuing a steady decline from 2023 and 2024.
But, despite the decrease in notices, each year, a growing share of those notices resulted in actual disconnections.
Based on the public filings, it is unclear how many unique households were disconnected; some customers may have been disconnected multiple times. 8 Investigates is working to obtain additional data to better understand how many individual households were affected.
There may be several factors contributing to the increase in disconnections. The trend does not appear to directly correlate with electricity rates, which declined in 2024 before increasing again in 2025.
During the past three years, tens of thousands of CMP customers entered payment plans with the company. Customers struggling to pay their bills are encouraged to contact their utility provider as early as possible, before receiving a disconnection notice.
Those who still need assistance can also contact the Maine Office of the Public Advocate.