Decision on Maine power rate hike faces likely delay

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Maine utilities regulators say they’ll likely sign off on a stay of a power company’s request to raise rates.

The Maine Public Utilities Commission’s handling of Central Maine Power’s potential rate increase likely delays a decision until the end of the year or later. Philip Bartlett spoke to lawmakers about the potential increase on Monday.

CMP wants to raise rates by 10.65 %. The request is coming as the utility is dealing with broad customer complaints about the way it handled the rollout of a new billing system.

The Portland Press Herald reports Bartlett says the PUC will factor in the complaints when it does consider the rate increase. However, he also says the commission can’t “simply say no.”

___

Information from: Portland Press Herald, http://www.pressherald.com