Federal regulators found that New England transmission utilities collected more profit than they were authorized to, a determination that could give back millions collectively for Maine ratepayers.
The refund, however, is not settled because several companies have moved to contest the ruling, The Maine Monitor reported.
Here's what to know
Under a March order from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, New England transmission owners must return more than $1.5 billion by May 2027 after FERC reset their allowed return on equity to 9.57% from 11.14%.
Maine customers are expected to receive roughly $130 million of that amount.
After the ruling, Central Maine Power, Versant, and other regional transmission owners challenged FERC in June.
Heather Sanborn, Maine's public advocate, told The Maine Monitor that a typical residential customer might receive about $20 a month for a year, though she said a firmer estimate will require more information from the utilities.
Even so, Versant has submitted a proposed refund plan covering transmission customers in its Bangor Hydro District.
"ISO New England is coordinating the refund process, and Versant has submitted a proposed refund plan to FERC that is awaiting approval," Versant spokesperson Marissa McKay wrote in an email to The Maine Monitor.
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"We will be able to confirm details once FERC issues its decision. This matter applies only to Versant's Bangor Hydro District transmission customers and does not affect Maine Public District customers," she added.
More background
Power costs have risen sharply. An Office of the Public Advocate analysis cited by The Maine Monitor found Maine electric bills are up 72% over six years.
For a typical Central Maine Power customer, the monthly bill went from $91 in October 2020 to $157 in October 2026.
Sanborn said transmission costs contributed the least to that increase; she pointed instead to storm-related distribution expenses and natural gas prices as bigger drivers.
Utilities counter that they need robust returns to draw investment for dependable infrastructure as electricity demand grows and climate change strains the grid.
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What's being done?
Maine officials are separately targeting a different transmission-related earnings boost: a 0.5% return-on-equity "adder" linked to participation in ISO New England.
The Maine Monitor reported that after a 2025 law required utilities to join ISO New England, the consumer advocate, the utilities commission, and the energy department asked FERC to eliminate that incentive.
The agencies called the adder "an outdated financial perk," and consumer advocates say removing it would save Maine ratepayers more than $2 million annually.
Versant is not fighting that request, but Central Maine Power and the Maine Electric Power Company sued state officials over the law.
While that regulatory fight continues, customers still have a few steps they can take on their own. Sanborn backs optional time-of-use rates from Central Maine Power and Versant, which give customers a reason to move electricity use away from peak periods.
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Sanborn said the aim is to get more value from infrastructure customers already fund.
"The goal really is to use more of the system we already have," Sanborn said, "to use it more efficiently, and to use it over more kilowatt hours of the year so that we can drive down rates."
Where can I learn more?
Other utilities around the country are fighting over similar questions about costs and regulation.
• PacifiCorp asked regulators to let it bill customers for $1.7 billion in wildfire damages.
• In California, regulators adopted a rule slashing compensation for community solar projects.
• Across rural America, residents are pushing back as data centers drive electricity costs higher.
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