UNDERSTANDING YOUR ELECTRIC BILL
This page provides information on understanding your electric bill and options for reducing your electricity usage or making payments. You can navigate directly to the part of the page you are most interested in with the menu below!
This webinar provides background on why the electric grid is structured as it is. It also gives an overview of your electric bill, including how the final cost is determined and Central Maine Power's role in delivering electricity
COMPONETNS OF YOUR BILL
Your monthly Central Maine Power (CMP) bill contains three pages:
-
Overview: This page will include your account information, a summary of your upcoming payment, a graph of your monthly usage, and, on the left-hand side, messages from CMP.
-
Delivery: This page outlines the charges you incurred for the delivery of electricity to your property. This portion of the bill is paid to CMP, as they are the entity that distributes power in southern Maine.
-
Supply: This page outlines the charges you incurred for using electricity. This portion of the bill is paid out to the energy supplier you have selected. Many folks utilize the standard offer, which is the default energy supply mix.
The supply charges you incur cover the electricity you used for the month. These payments are sent to the entity that generated the electricity, not CMP. Since the state of Maine has a deregulated energy system, CMP is not allowed to own all three components of electricity production: generation, transmission, and distribution.
Confused about what a deregulated energy market is? ​Check out this article to get an overview of what deregulation means!
Similar to the delivery charge, it is based on your meter readings. The biggest difference between the delivery and supply charge is that you can choose who supplies your energy. For almost all residents living in southern Maine, your only option for electric distribution is Central Maine Power, so you must choose one of their rates. However, because the state is a deregulated market and CMP cannot own generation resources, you can decide which company to purchase your energy from.
​
Similar to the standard residential delivery rate, there is also a standard supply offer. This is a default rate determined annually by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) and is based on a mix of energy sources feeding into the grid. While this is often the simplest and most stable option for households, you can switch from the standard offer at any time. ​
​
You can choose to switch from the default Standard Offer to a Competitive Electricity Provider (CEP) to potentially find better rates, fixed-price contracts, or green energy options. However, there are important considerations to make before switching. The Maine Public Utilities Commission has a list of what to keep in mind that you can review here.
​Why Are Electric Rates Increasing?​​​
Many factors affect the cost of electricity, including:
-
Aging Infrastructure: The electric grid is outdated and needs upgrades, so prices increase to cover the additional funding needed to complete these improvements.
-
Maintenance and Repair: There are ongoing maintenance and repair costs that must be funded, as well as funding needed to recover after severe storm events.
- ​Reliance on Natural Gas: The majority of Maine's electricity is generated at natural gas facilities. This makes the state vulnerable to the price volatilty of natural gas. This further exacerbated by world events, such as wars.
.png)
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Typically, to avoid having your electricity disconnected, you need to make a monthly payment; it does not need to be the full amount. Doing this frequently can leave you with a backlog of payments and create a much larger financial burden. There are places to reach out to if you need assistance.
​
1. Your Local Community Action Agency (CAA)​
For residents in the Energy Navigator region, this means reaching out to York County Community Action Corporation (YCCAC). However, you can find your local CAA here. Through your local CAA, you can apply for programs such as the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). If you are found eligible for HEAP, you will be able to receive assistance paying for your heating costs. If you use electricity to heat your home HEAP funding can be applied to offset some of that cost. Enrollment in HEAP also qualifies you for additional programs such as the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and the Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP).
​
2. Electricity Lifeline Program (ELP)
The Electricity Lifeline Program offers eligible customers a credit to help lower their monthly bills. To apply for this program, you need to contact your local CAA. Eligibility is determined by your annual income and past electricity usage. Learn more here! ​
​
3. Oxygen Pump/Ventilator Assistance Program
This program provides an additional add-on to the ELP assistance. It is available to CMP customers who must use an oxygen pump or ventilator for at least eight hours per day for health-related reasons. If you already have ELP and want to enroll in this program as well, you can access an application here.
​
4. Arrearage Management Program (AMP)
This program, through CMP, helps you catch up on payments and clear a backlog that may have built up. To access this program, you must be enrolled in HEAP or ELP and have a balance of $500 or more, with at least one payment over 90 days past due. While on the program, you will not need to pay your past-due amount; instead, you will be billed for your current monthly usage. Each month that you pay, CMP will apply a credit to your past due. Up to $6,000 in credits can be applied to your past due, and if you have over $6,000, you can reapply the following year. You can learn more about the program here and complete the application here.
​
5. Town General Assistance
If you need immediate or more urgent assistance with getting your electricity turned back on or preventing a disconnection, you may be able to get support from your town's General Assistance office.