Will You Be Getting a Hefty Refund From The $6M Electricity Maine Ruling?

Electricity Maine, a competitive electricity provider, has been ordered to return nearly $6,000,000,000.00 to current and former Maine customers.

According to an article by the Kennebec Journal, Electricity Maine has been under scrutiny from the Maine Office of the Public Advocate since February of 2023. On Wednesday, the Maine Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously to approve the refund as well as tacking on a $315,000 penalty which is part of a larger settlement.

The Kennebec Journal reported on Thursday that the 3-0 vote by the Maine Public Utilities Commission has finally ended an ongoing dispute between the electricity retailer and Maine's Public Advocate, William Harwood, who has  accused them of repeatedly overcharging their customers.

Electricity Maine, originally founded in 2011 in Auburn, said in part of an email regarding the massive refund and penalty, “ [we are] pleased to have worked with the PUC and Public Advocate to resolve this matter amicably and will continue in our commitment to compliantly serve and provide Mainers with a choice in their electricity supplier.”

As part of the settlement, Electricity Maine agrees to never charge more than $.06 more than what the standard offer is at any given time. In years past, Electricity Maine has had rates soaring $0.40 more than the standard offer. Something that the Maine Public Utilities Commission assures Mainers will be a thing of the past, at least until June of 2026 when the Electricity Maine rate cap expires.

As of right now, the Kennebec Journal is reporting that about 20,000 current and former Electricity Maine customers can expect to see refunds of about $300.00. A drop in the bucket according to some former customers who have openly criticized the electricity provider.