BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 24, 2022
Walmart and other large companies and energy groups are lining up to weigh in on a proposed electricity rate hike that has drawn stiff opposition from political figures including the governor and public advocate. Central Maine Power Co. is seeking a $570 million distribution rate increase from the Maine Public Utilities Commission to pay for reliability improvements. Versant Power, the state’s other dominant electric utility, also asked the commission in August to approve an average $10.50 per month increase in the distribution part of its residential electric bill starting next July. The plans quickly met strong opposition from the governor and public advocate. Walmart is a large customer of CMP, owning and operating 17 retail units and a Lewiston distribution center, with more than 7,800 employees statewide.