electric rates

The Electric Ratepayer Advisory Council says financial support is not keeping up with soaring costs.

The company settled claims it switched accounts to pricier rates without telling customers.

Critics say electric customers will wind up paying for an unnecessary costs.

State utility regulators approved a rate increase of more than $10 a month, or just over $9 for CMP customers who chose the standard offer price.

The Maine Public Utilities Commission says the new standard-offer rates for customers of CMP, and Versant customers in Aroostook County, are about 30% lower than this year's.

The request comes after the regulators announced electricity supply rate hikes of 49% and 38% for customers of CMP and Versant who choose the standard offer. The new rates take effect next month.

Lawmakers are being sworn into Maine's 131st legislature on Wednesday. Gov. Mills wants to have the legislature introduce, pass and let her sign an emergency energy relief bill the same day that the new legislature is sworn in. And that has not happened in nearly three decades.

PUC Chair Phil Bartlett said the increases are driven by global natural gas prices, and will cost the average CMP customer an additional $32 per month.

Nearly 3,000 small businesses in Maine will soon see sizable credits on their electricity bills as part of a one-time relief program approved by the Legislature earlier this year.

The Maine Public Utilities Commission today approved measures that will lower the delivery rate for customers of the two companies.