COMMISSION SETS NEW STANDARD OFFER ELECTRICITY SUPPLY RATES FOR 2023 FOR CMP AND VERSANT POWER-MAINE PUBLIC DISTRICTS STANDARD OFFER CUSTOMERS
November 16, 2022
Hallowell, Maine –The Maine Public Utilities Commission (Commission) accepted bids and set new Standard Offer electricity supply rates today for residential and business customers of Central Maine Power Company (CMP) and Versant Power-Maine Public District (MPD).
For residential and small non-residential customers of CMP, the Standard Offer price will be 17.63 cents per kWh effective January 1, 2023. The Standard Offer electricity supply amount accounts for about 60 percent of the total customer bill, therefore the total bill increase will be about 26 percent for an average customer using 550 kWh/month, or an increase of $31.98, from about $122.59 to about $154.58. The standard offer price set last year was 11.8 cents per kwh, so the 17.6 cents per kwh equates to a 49% increase for electricity supply.
For residential and small non-residential customers of Versant-MPD, the Standard Offer price will be 14.88 cents per kWh effective January 1, 2023. The Standard Offer electricity supply amount accounts for about 60 percent of the total customer bill, therefore the total bill increase will be about 18.4 percent for an average customer using 500 kWh/month, or an increase of $18.96, from about $103.03 to about $121.99. The standard offer price set last year was 11.08 cents per kwh, so the 14.88 cents per kwh equates to a 34% increase for electricity supply.
“We recognize that this is a significant increase that comes at a time when consumers are already faced with rising prices due to inflation. Like the Versant prices approved yesterday, natural gas markets are driving these price increases, however the markets have come down from a few months ago, resulting in a better outcome than we originally anticipated,” Chairman Philip L. Bartlett II said.” “In fact, these electricity supply prices are lower than most other New England states, as shown in the table below.”
The new Standard Offer supply rates were set though a competitive bid process conducted by the Commission, as required by Maine law. Multiple bidders submitted sealed proposals in the Commission’s annual competitive process for setting Standard Offer electricity supply prices. The increases reflect current regional electric power market conditions which are strongly influenced by natural gas, as well as costs to ensure regional electricity supply reliability.
These increases apply to customers who do not purchase electricity from a competitive supplier of their choosing and instead receive Standard Offer Supply by default.
“We do want to make sure that consumers know there are many programs available to them to assist with utility bills and energy conservation and we encourage them to seek assistance, if needed,” Bartlett said. “The Commission has a full list of programs available on the Commission website.”
Forward-looking Supply-only Residential Fixed Rates in New England
| State |
Average Price |
| Connecticut |
11.335 * |
| Massachusetts |
24.650 |
| New Hampshire |
18.304 |
| Rhode Island |
17.785 |
| Vermont |
18.035 |
| New England |
17.438 |
*CT will set new standard service generation rates this week, effective Jan. 1, 2023.
For CMP Medium Business Customers, the new prices vary by month, averaging 16.52 cents per kWh. Medium Class customers will see an average increase of about 47 percent in the supply portion of their bill.
For Versant-MPD Medium Business Customers, the new prices vary by month, averaging 14.78 cents per kWh. Medium Class customers will see an average increase of about 38 percent in the supply portion of their bill.
The Standard Offer prices for CMP and Versant-MPD large non-residential class will be indexed to wholesale market prices and will be set in advance of each month.
The names of the suppliers selected today for CMP and Versant-MPD will be released in about two weeks, allowing time for power supply arrangements to be finalized. For more information on standard offer service prices visit: https://www.maine.gov/mpuc/regulated-utilities/electricity/electric-supply
Background
An electric bill includes two components: electricity supply and delivery. The Standard Offer Supply Rate is just one component of the total electric bill.
When the electric industry restructured in 2000, utilities were required to sell their electricity generating assets and therefore no longer supplied the electricity. They do, however, maintain the infrastructure that delivers the power to your home or business. That includes substations, large transmission lines, distribution lines, utility poles and meters that connect to homes and business.
Since the law was changed in 2000, electric customers have had the option of choosing their own electricity supplier or using the default supplier, which is the supplier or suppliers chosen in the competitive bidding process for Standard Offer Electricity Supply conducted by the MPUC. Maine’s electric utilities do not set the rates for electricity supply, they simply bill on behalf of the suppliers so that customers do not receive two bills.
About the Commission
The Maine Public Utilities Commission regulates electric, telephone, water, and gas utilities to ensure that Maine citizens have access to safe and reliable utility service at rates that are just and reasonable for all ratepayers, while also helping achieve reductions in state greenhouse gas emissions. Commission programs include Maine Enhanced 911 Service, gas safety and Dig Safe. Philip L. Bartlett, II serves as Chair, Randall Davis and Patrick Scully serve as Commissioners.
Learn more about the Commission at www.maine.gov/mpuc CONTACT: Susan Faloon, Media Liaison CELL: 207-557-3704 EMAIL: susan.faloon@maine.gov