Central Maine Power workers repair lines after a storm. (Photo by Evan Houk/Maine Morning Star)
Gov. Janet Mills denounced a proposal from Central Maine Power that could increase electricity rates for customers by more than $1.4 billion.
In July, the private utility company informed the Public Utilities Commission that it intended to file a new five-year rate plan that included reliability and resiliency investments, as well as improvements to customer experience. The plan, which was officially submitted Tuesday, is projected to increase the company’s revenue by more than $430 million.
“I recognize that investing in our grid to improve reliability is important, but this request is massive and unacceptable,” Mills said, adding that it “blatantly ignores the economic reality that Maine people face every day,” especially rural residents, seniors on fixed incomes and small businesses.
Maine Public Advocate Heather Sanborn also expressed concern over the scale of the proposal and how it will affect the pockets of ratepayers. The PUC will review the case over the next several months before deciding whether to go forward with it. If approved, the plan would increase rates starting in October 2026.
Based on numbers from CMP, the average customer could ultimately see their power bill increase by $36 a month or more than $400 per year.
“This is an enormous increase,” Sanborn said. “At a time when many families are already struggling to afford their bills, CMP’s proposal asks Mainers to pay even more.”
The average CMP residential customer paid roughly $155 in August, up from $140 this time last year. Customers in Versant’s Bangor Hydro District saw their bills go up just over $20 this past year, from $148 to $169, while the average Versant Maine Public District consumer saw their bill increase from about $144 to $162.
Furthermore, Mills said the proposal undermines legislation that she signed in 2022, which requires utility companies to file a 10-year plan to determine what upgrades will be needed to improve grid reliability and resilience while taking into account the state’s climate policy goals and cost-effectiveness for ratepayers.
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CMP has said that the plan is designed to build a “smarter, stronger, more resilient grid,” so it can better serve customers by reducing associated costs from potential storms and supporting a switch to clean energy.
Greater attention has been paid to grid resilience after the state faced several unprecedented winter storms in 2023 and 2024 that incurred significant costs to ratepayers. In the storms’ wake, Mills established the Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience Commission to find ways to shore up the state’s energy systems against future severe storms. The commission’s final report came out in May 2025, highlighting the need to improve the grid, especially as the state moves toward greater electrification of transportation and home heating and cooling systems.
“What is clear from this filing is that CMP is only willing to make the necessary investments in the grid if given a disproportionate and exorbitant return on their investment, at the expense of Maine people,” said Seth Berry, executive director of Our Power and former chair of the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee.
As the public advocate, Sanborn will represent ratepayers throughout the Public Utility Commission’s review of CMP’s proposal, but she is also urging the public to provide feedback at two public hearings the commission is hosting.
The first public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Oct. 14 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport. The second one is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Oct. 15 at the PUC office — 26 Katherine Dr. in Hallowell.
Mills also said she directed the Governor’s Energy Office to oppose the request through the PUC’s review process.
“We need to ensure electricity distribution costs don’t spiral out of control, especially as our state encourages people to electrify their homes and vehicles to meet climate goals,” Sanborn added. “Affordability must remain front and center.”
The Office of the Public Advocate has an explanation of PUC case filings on its website and guidance on how to get involved.