CMP's big five-year rate plan was rejected outright; regulators told the company to come back with something smaller and more accountable, which it did in April 2026.
+$35a month
Central Maine Power one-year distribution rate case
Pending Base rate case, docket 2026-00043 before the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
No residential dollar figure published yet
The filing does not state a typical-bill impact we can verify. We will add one when the commission staff or the consumer advocate publishes it.
What happens next
Next comes a hearing, then a decision from the Maine Public Utilities Commission. Many states give the commission a deadline of roughly seven to eleven months from filing. How rate cases work.
FiledApr 17, 2026
Hearingnot scheduled yet
Decisionpending
On billsafter the decision
After its five-year plan was dismissed, CMP filed a smaller, one-year rate proposal on April 17, 2026 seeking 189 million dollars for grid upgrades, more line workers and tree trimming, including a 69.3 million dollar temporary rate increase within that request. On October 6, 2026 the Maine Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously to deny the temporary increase, which would have added about 7 dollars a month to a typical bill, saying CMP and other parties could not agree on an undisputed amount as state law requires and noting the utility had overspent its own prior budget. The temporary increase is denied, but the full 189 million dollar case, which includes a request to raise CMP's allowed return on equity from 9.35 to 9.8 percent, remains open; the state Public Advocate estimates a typical bill could rise about 18 dollars a month if that full request is approved as filed, with a decision expected in spring 2027.
What it means for your bill: The Maine PUC denied CMP's temporary $7-a-month increase request on October 6, 2026, so that charge will not appear on bills. The larger, separate request that could add about 18 dollars a month is still pending and is not expected to be decided until spring 2027.
- Status
- Pending
- Utility
- Central Maine Power
- Commission
- Maine Public Utilities Commission
- Docket
- 2026-00043
- Filed
- April 17, 2026
- Requested
- $189 million a year
- Last checked
- October 13, 2026
Common questions
How much will my Central Maine Power bill go up?
That has not been published yet; we will add it once the commission staff or the consumer advocate release a figure.
When would the new rates start?
Not yet set. That is decided along with the case, usually as part of the commission's final order.
When is the hearing?
Not scheduled yet. Check back, or ask for an email alert below.
How do I comment?
Written comments can be submitted through the Maine PUC's website referencing Docket No. 2026-00043. Comment page.
How to comment
Written comments can be submitted through the Maine PUC's website referencing Docket No. 2026-00043. Comment page. Office of the Public Advocate represents households in this case.
History
- Oct 13, 2026: Typical bill impact: $7 to no figure a month
- Oct 13, 2026: Hearing:
Sources
- CMP's new rate plan could mean short-term bill decrease, long-term hike, Portland Press Herald, 2026-04-17
- CMP seeks $189M rate hike, Bangor Daily News, 2026-04-17
- CMP's plan to raise bills by $7 is likely on the rocks, here's what to know, Central Maine, 2026-09-28
- Commission denies CMP request for temporary rate increase, Maine Morning Star, 2026-10-06
- Maine regulators reject CMP's temporary rate hike, Maine Public, 2026-10-06
- Maine regulators deny CMP's temporary rate hike request, Bangor Daily News, 2026-10-07
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Other Central Maine Power matters
If you have not switched electric suppliers, your CMP bill went up about 11 dollars a month in 2026 because of the statewide Standard Offer price, not because of anything CMP itself did.
+$11a month