The Maine Public Utilities Commission  accepted bids and set new Standard Offer electricity supply rates Nov. 17 for residential and business customers of Central Maine Power. 

Residential customers who receive standard offer service can expect an increase of about 83 percent in their supply rates effective January 1, 2022, according to a news release.

The new residential standard offer price amounts to an increase of about $30 per month on the total bill for an average customer using 550 kWh/month, or an increase from about $96 to about $126. 

The new Standard Offer supply rates were set though a competitive bid process conducted by the Commission, as required by Maine law.  The increases reflect prevailing energy market conditions, including those in the regional electric power market in which prices are strongly influenced by natural gas. 

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. 

“These prices are competitive and provide the best value for CMP’s Standard Offer customers,” Chairman Philip L. Bartlett II said, in the release.  “Unfortunately, sharp increases in natural gas prices are resulting in higher electricity supply costs for the upcoming year.  This increase is primarily driven by New England’s wholesale electricity market prices which have increased dramatically.”

The new Standard Offer electricity supply rates reflect a similar trend experienced in other energy sectors as well.  The table below shows how the Standard Offer price increase compares with increases in natural gas, oil, and wholesale electric markets during the same month the previous year. 

Those having difficulty paying their electricity bills are encouraged to explore options for financial assistance.  A full list of programs is available on theCommission website. 

Multiple bidders submitted sealed proposals in the Commission’s annual competitive process for setting Standard Offer electricity supply prices. The Standard Offer supply amount accounts for about 50 percent of the total customer bill.

For CMP Medium Business Customers, the new prices vary by month, averaging about 11 cents per kWh. CMP medium-class businesses will see an average 82% increase annually in the supply portion of their bill.  

Prices for CMP large business customers will be indexed to market prices and set in advance of each month. 

The names of the suppliers selected for CMP will be released in 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 Chairman, Randall Davis and Patrick Scully serve as Commissioners.

Learn more about the Commission at www.maine.gov/mpuc