Governor Janet T. Mills Addressed the Governors at the National Governors Association Annual Summer Meeting at the Holliday by the Inn, Spring Street, Last Month.

Governor Janet T. Mills (D), the first woman Governor of Maine and its first woman AG, today announced her opposition to Versant Power’s notice of intent to file for a rate increase.

In its notice, the utility says it will seek a $10.50 monthly increase – or about $126.00 a year – from the average residential ratepayer in its service area of Maine starting in the summer of 2023.  Versant’s filing comes at a time of record-high electricity rates and follows a filing made earlier this year by Central Maine Power seeking a nine percent increase starting in 2023, which Governor Mills has also pledged to oppose.

“Improvements to our electgric system are an important part of maintaining a strong grid, but the timing of such improvements – and the costs associated with them – must be weighed against the already high electricity prices that Maine people, like people across New England, are being asked to pay,” said Governor Mills.  “With high prices expected to continue into the coming year – which is almost entirely the result of New England dependence on expensive, imported natural gas – I do not believe now is the appropriate time for our utilities to seek further rate increases.  I ask Versant not to file this request, but if they do I will direct my Energy Office to intervene in opposition and call on the Maine Public Utilities Commission to reject the request.’