Governor Janet T. Mills Addressing  the Governors at the National Governors Association Annual Summer Meeting at the Holliday by the Inn, Portland, Last Month.

Yesterday, Governor Mills Energy Office intervened in opposition to Central Maine Power’s filing for an electricity rate increase with the Maine PUblic Utilities Commission.  In its filing, CMP is seeking a three-year increase that would raise electric bills on average rsidential ratepayers in Maine by approximately $10. per month, or $120. per year. This request comes at a time of high electricity prices – driven by global votality in energy markets and New England’s dependence on natural gas – that are now hurting Maine families and businesses and are expected to continue into next year according to a press release issued yesterday by Governor Mills’ office.

Governor Mills has also said that she will direct the Governor’s Energy Office to oppose a potential forth-coming filing from Versant, which recently announced that it intends to seek an increase of $10.50 per month – or about $126. a year – from the average residential ratepayer – its service area of Maine starting in the summer of 2023.

Transitioning Maine to renewable energy to reduce energy prices, along with helping Maine people and businesses with increased electricity and heating fuel prices, are priorities of the Mills administration.

“Today, I directed the Governor’s Energy Office to intervene with the Maine Public Utilities to oppose CMP’s request for a rate increase,” said Governor Mills.  “While improving our electric system is critical to ensuring a strong grid, the timing of these costs must be balanced against the high costs – including already high energy prices – that are hurting Maine people and businesses right now – CMP pursing this filins at this time is not on the best interests of Maine people and we opopse it.”

Governor Janet T. Mills (D) is the first woman Governor of Maine and the state’s first woman AG.