CMP bills increase with July rate hike
Bills for Central Maine Power customers went up on Tuesday. For a typical residential customer using 550 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month, the total bill increase is approximately $4.91 per month. The boost is about half as much as the hike seen in July of 2024.“These rate changes reflect our statutory obligations and are primarily driven by costs that have already been incurred or approved, including those that support the state’s energy and climate policy goals,” said Philip L. Bartlett II, chair for the Maine Public Utilities Commission. “This year’s net increase is driven primarily by storm recovery costs.” Tuesday’s rate hike is expected to help pay for restoration costs from 2022 through 2024, similar to the boost seen in 2024. CMP has made efforts to renovate and reinforce power infrastructure around the state in preparation of severe weather. To mitigate rate impacts, costs associated with storms that cost more than $15 million will be recovered over a two-year period, rather than one.The commission says the stranded costs are largely incurred due to legislation enacted to support Maine’s climate and clean energy initiatives. These costs include expenses associated with renewable energy contracts and Net Energy Billing.Also adding to the bill increase are adjustments to the Efficiency Maine Trust assessment rates and changes to transmission service rates, which are set by the regional transmission operator and reviewed through federal regulatory processes.The Public Utilities Commission is offering resources on their website to help customers manage power costs through Efficiency Maine and other programs.
Bills for Central Maine Power customers went up on Tuesday.
For a typical residential customer using 550 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month, the total bill increase is approximately $4.91 per month. The boost is about half as much as the hike seen in July of 2024.
“These rate changes reflect our statutory obligations and are primarily driven by costs that have already been incurred or approved, including those that support the state’s energy and climate policy goals,” said Philip L. Bartlett II, chair for the Maine Public Utilities Commission. “This year’s net increase is driven primarily by storm recovery costs.”
Tuesday’s rate hike is expected to help pay for restoration costs from 2022 through 2024, similar to the boost seen in 2024. CMP has made efforts to renovate and reinforce power infrastructure around the state in preparation of severe weather.
To mitigate rate impacts, costs associated with storms that cost more than $15 million will be recovered over a two-year period, rather than one.
The commission says the stranded costs are largely incurred due to legislation enacted to support Maine’s climate and clean energy initiatives. These costs include expenses associated with renewable energy contracts and Net Energy Billing.
Also adding to the bill increase are adjustments to the Efficiency Maine Trust assessment rates and changes to transmission service rates, which are set by the regional transmission operator and reviewed through federal regulatory processes.
The Public Utilities Commission is offering resources on their website to help customers manage power costs through Efficiency Maine and other programs.