Utility rates to drop for County residents

3 years ago

PRESQUE ISLE and BANGOR, Maine — Starting July 1, Versant Power customers in Aroostook County’s Maine Public District will see lower electricity delivery rates.

A typical local residential customer using 500 kilowatt-hours per month and paying $76.27 for delivery and Standard Offer supply will now pay $73.94, a $2.33 decrease, the power company said June 29.

Customers further south will see a slight hike. A typical residential customer in the Bangor Hydro District using 500 kilowatt-hours per month and paying $84.93 for delivery and Standard Offer supply will now pay $86.16, a $1.23 increase. 

“Versant Power’s rates are based on the cost to provide safe, reliable service throughout northern and eastern Maine, and we’re continually working to improve reliability and customer service in a cost-effective way,” said Versant Power Manager, Communications and Brand, Judy Long.

Long said customers will see changes to three of five rates on their bills: transmission, stranded costs and conservation. Versant Power’s distribution rates will not change at this time. T

he Maine Public Utilities Commission is evaluating the company’s request for a distribution rate increase to continue to improve our systems and invest in our people in northern and eastern Maine. If approved, new distribution rates would go into effect no sooner than October 2021.

All customers will see a decrease in conservation rates, driven by a lower funding level assessed for the Efficiency Maine Trust, the state entity that works with Maine customers on energy efficiency and conservation projects, Long said. 

Transmission rates in the Bangor Hydro District will increase slightly – equivalent to 1 cent per month for a residential customer – while the Maine Public District will see a decrease.

New rates for all customers will be posted at versantpower.com as of July 1.  Customers with questions about bill changes are encouraged to call the Versant Power Customer Contact Center at 207-973-2000.