The Maine Office of the Public Advocate is warning customers of North American Power that their fixed-rate contracts for electricity have expired, or will soon expire, and they should act now to avoid paying hundreds of dollars in excess electricity costs this winter.

Earlier this year, North American Power sent a direct-mail solicitation to residential electricity customers, offering a six-month fixed rate for electricity at a favorable price. Thousands of Central Maine Power and Emera Maine customers signed up for these offers, which have now ended or are about to end.

When the fixed-rate term expires, customers are automatically rolled over to a variable rate, where the price changes each month based on wholesale market prices. Last winter, some variable rates went as high as 25 cents per kilowatt-hour, or nearly four times the standard offer price, costing some customers hundreds of dollars in excess costs. The public advocate expects to see similar variable rate pricing, or worse, this winter.

“North American Power is supposed to let customers know their contract is expiring, but we know some customers haven’t gotten notice, and we’re concerned that those who have received notice may not understand the potential costs of switching to a variable rate,” said Public Advocate Tim Schneider. Schneider says customers should call or email North American Power to find out when your contract expires, by phone at (888) 313-9086 or via email at customercare@NAPower.com.

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