Maine regulators denied CMP's $69M rate hike after its capital spending ran 50% over

On 6 October 2026 the Maine Public Utilities Commission unanimously denied Central Maine Power's request for almost $70 million in temporary rate increases, which would have added about $7 a month to the average household bill. The request was the first step of a two-part increase in a $189 million rate case and was meant to help pay for infrastructure CMP had built in recent years. About two-thirds of it was to raise the return on equity that CMP's shareholders earn.

Every intervening party, from the Office of the Public Advocate to consumer groups, disputed all $69.3 million of the ask, so the commissioners said they could not identify any undisputed amount. Chair Philip Bartlett said that because CMP's capital spending had exceeded its forecast by about 50% from 2022 to 2025, "to some extent, this is a problem of CMP's own making". The commission had already dismissed CMP's five-year plan the year before, which would have raised the average bill by about $35.

In the eight days after PUC staff recommended rejecting the increase, CMP removed 70 job postings for line workers and customer service roles, paused plans to improve 19 transformers serving thousands of customers and halted other infrastructure projects. CEO Linda Ball told employees on 28 September that the company would review workforce levels, and CMP's filing said it would consider workforce reductions. Consumer groups called the move a threat; no decisions on layoffs had been made.

$69.3M temporary increase denied; S&P outlook cut to negative; 70 job postings pulled.

CMP's capital spending ran about 50% over its own forecast between 2022 and 2025, as the PUC chair noted.

It sought a temporary increase that every intervenor contested, leaving the commission no undisputed number to approve.

A large part of the request was a higher return on equity for shareholders rather than a recovery of specific project costs.

It answered the likely denial by pausing hiring and grid work, which drew accusations from advocates that it was putting customers under pressure.

A regulated monopoly that overspends its forecast and then pauses service work to pressure its regulator loses the argument and public trust together.

Current rates are likely to stay in place until spring, when regulators are expected to rule on the full $189 million case. S&P Global Ratings had cut CMP's outlook to negative that summer, citing the rate case delay and a $100 million cash flow deficit. CMP employs almost 1,000 people. The advocacy coalition Fight the Hike said it would keep opposing the utility's efforts to raise rates, and Bartlett was due to step down as PUC chair days later.