A ratepayer advocacy group says 50 Central Maine Power customers embroiled in billing disputes have received disconnect notices.
CMP Ratepayers Unite tells the Portland Press Herald that the volume of cold-weather shutoff notices is a slap in the face to CMP customers caught up in an ongoing dispute over whether the company repeatedly overcharged thousands of Mainers.
Public Utilities Commission Executive Director Harry Lanphear said issuing the shutoff notices is a state-mandated part of CMP’s process for attempting to collect on unpaid bills. But CMP is banned from cutting service between Nov. 15 and April 15 without permission from the PUC.
Maine Public Advocate Barry Hobbins said the strong negative reactions to the shutoff notices are a product of the tension and lack of trust.
