PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 28, 2021
A jump in federally mandated, regional transmission rates that’s due to affect nearly every electric utility in New England will contribute to an expected double-digit increase in what Central Maine Power customers will pay on their bills starting Aug. 1. The annual adjustment to finance new high-voltage transmission lines and maintain existing ones will result in a 9 percent overall increase in the region, according to CMP. But the pending tariff will hit Maine’s largest utility especially hard, increasing rates by $70 million, or roughly 25 percent. The state Office of Public Advocate said the transmission increase likely would translate into the largest one-time hike ever in retail delivery rates for CMP.