Central Maine Power (CMP) said it is preparing for dangerously cold temperatures forecasted for Maine this weekend accompanied by a significant snowstorm.

CMP is, the company said in a news release:

Staffing extras crews across its service area from Friday night through Monday. This will accelerate response times and increase crew safety by having more personnel working together to respond in cold temperatures and snow. 

Coordinating with the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to maintain an up‑to‑date list of warming shelters and prioritizing safe, rapid restoration at those locations if outages occur. 

During periods of cold weather, heating systems can use more electricity as they work harder to heat homes and businesses. Even for non-electric heating systems, fans and blowers may run more. This can all result in higher-than-usual electricity use. 

Increased usage can be reflected in higher costs on customer electricity bills and this month, those costs are compounded by the $11-12 per month increase in Standard Offer electricity supply costs, which went into effect on January 1,. Standard Offer supply costs are not CMP costs, though the company is required by law to bill for and collect these costs on behalf of other companies that generate power. 

For customers concerned about higher energy costs and usage, CMP encourages them to take small steps at home today and access free digital tools:

Usage Alerts (Delivered by text, phone, or email) – Customers receive weekly updates on their energy use and estimated costs and can set personalized targets for their own usage. Household members beyond the primary account holder can receive these updates.

Energy Manager provides a daily breakdown of energy consumption by category (such as heating, lighting, and appliances) and allows customers to compare their usage to similar households to make informed decisions. 

“In times like this, with forecasted cold weather and snow bearing down on us, we’re here to support customers as much as we possibly can,” said Linda Ball, President and CEO of Central Maine Power “Today is a great time to prepare and we urge customers to review these ways to manage their energy before the cold arrives. You can also contact our customer service team for support with payment options, assistance programs, and staying on track through the winter months. Whether it’s our teams in the field or teams ready to answer your questions, helping our customers through challenging stretches of winter like this is part of the essential service we provide every day.” 

CMP also partners closely with Community Action Agencies across Maine to ensure customers can access support when they need it most. These partnerships help households understand and apply for programs that can reduce or better manage their electricity bills. 

“We offer the Arrears Management Program (AMP) for CMP, which helps customers who are behind on their electric bill by $500 or more. If customers keep up with current bills and pay on time, they can receive up to $500 toward their past‑due balance. It’s an excellent resource for getting back on track,” said Lynn Lugdon, Division Manager of Penquis Community Action, in the release. “CMP’s customer service representatives truly want to help customers regain control of their monthly expenses. Even if you’re unsure whether you qualify for assistance, we encourage you to reach out. We’re here to help, and everyone needs support at times.”

Penquis Community Action Agency serves residents of Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Knox counties. Penquis provides a wide range of services from energy assistance to community support programs and plays an essential role in helping customers maintain stability and stay current on their utility bills.

If CMP customers are struggling to pay their bills, other assistance programs include: 

• Electricity Lifeline Program (ELP) -- CMP's ELP Program offers qualified customers a credit of up to $1,200 annually on their electric bill. The amount of the ELP credit is based on household income and estimated electricity usage. Customers can view CMP’s ELP fact sheet for more information.

• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) -- HEAP provides federal grant money to qualified customers to help pay their heating costs and may also assist with weatherization needs. Customers can visit mainehousing.org for financial guidelines. 

• Home Weatherization through Efficiency Maine Trust (EMT) – Efficiency Maine Trust has programs for customers who qualify that offer incentives and energy audits for those seeking better air sealing and other energy efficiency improvements in their homes. Customers can visit the EMT website for more information.

• For a full list of assistance programs, visit Help with Your Bill.

 Customers have several ways to reach CMP for questions about electricity use, assistance programs, or our digital tools. They can speak directly with customer service by calling 800.750.4000 (available Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.) or visit our website or mobile app. CMP also hosts in-person Community Connection events across Maine, where customers can meet with our representatives face-to-face. 

In addition, if you or someone you know needs utility or heating assistance, call 2-1-1 if calling from Maine, or call 877.463.6207, or text your zip code to 898-211, or visit 211maine.org for information about services available throughout the state. 2-1-1 is Maine's 24/7 health and human services information and referral system.