CMP misled the public, mismanaged rollout of new billing system
A Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram investigation reveals that layers of Central Maine Power management misjudged the enormity of changing over to a new billing system, leaving thousands of angry and frustrated customers.
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State jolts CMP with $10 million penalty for mishandling billing and customer service
Gov. Janet Mills called for greater accountability from the state's utilities after the Public Utilities Commission voted to reduce Central Maine Power's earnings as punishment for the problems with its mismanagement of a new billing system.
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Their stories: 12 customers take defiant, desperate measures
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Business
A visual story: Two years on, CMP billing saga still confounds
Here's where things stand a few months before regulators are expected to make a final decision.
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Business
Public advocate’s study of high bills blames CMP’s meter and billing systems
The findings, which will be presented to regulators Friday, contradict a report released Tuesday by the PUC staff that attribute the spike to cold weather and a rate increase.
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Business
PUC staff blames frigid weather, high usage for jump in many CMP customers’ bills
The conclusion of the Maine Public Utilities Commission's staff affirms an earlier analysis by an independent auditor, that bills spiked along with power use in the winter of 2017-18.
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Business
CMP withdraws document filed with customers’ confidential information
The filing had been submitted to regulators to refute customers’ complaints reported in the media.
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Business
Lawyer in CMP customers’ lawsuit wants company’s confidential letter to regulators thrown out
Peter Murray argues that Central Maine Power customers whose account details were revealed should know what's being said about them.
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Business
Regulators put off CMP’s rate hike request until billing probe ends
The Public Utilities Commission stays the power company's request for a $46.5 million increase while regulators probe customers' complaints about its billing and metering systems.
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Business
CMP offers $6 million fund to compensate customers with disputed bills
Seeking to restore confidence and move past its billing system controversy, Central Maine Power proposes establishing the fund for frustrated customers and partnering with Efficiency Maine to troubleshoot complaints.
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Business
Regulators hear CMP customers’ complaints about soaring bills and ‘horrific’ service
The Public Utilities Commission holds a hearing in Portland as part of its investigation into the company's billing and customer service practices, along with a rate hike it has requested.
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Business
Utilities watchdog calls for regulators to pause CMP rate case
The Public Advocate's Office is asking the Maine PUC to stay CMP's rate case until questions about billing and management accountability are settled.
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Local & State
Public hearing in Farmington brings more angry CMP customers
From borrowing money to pay a $1,100-plus electric bill to complaints about service to harassment to sell property for a 145-mile transmission line, customers vent their feelings to the Public Utilities Commission.
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Business
Customer outrage dominates final CMP rate hike hearing
Ratepayers urge public utilities commissioners to delay a rate hike until the utility lives up to its pledge to deal with customers' overbilling complaints.
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Opinion
CMP executive: Legislator wrongly maligns electric utility
The president and CEO of the transmission and distribution company defends his company's performance, and says a lawmaker's criticism was 'inaccurate and inflammatory.'
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Business
Ex-Gov. Baldacci, board member of CMP’s parent, says company should make customers whole
The former 2-term Democratic governor says he feels strongly that Central Maine Power should work to reconcile with ratepayers who may have been unfairly over-billed.
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Business
Maine utility regulators agree to more tests of CMP’s billing system
Public Advocate Barry Hobbins, who represents ratepayers' interests in PUC proceedings, wants to look into complaints made by Central Maine Power customers since last spring.
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Our View: Latest fiasco feeds doubts about CMP
Who comes first, stockholders or customers? The flawed rollout of a new billing system fuels legitimate questions about accountability.
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Business
Under fire for billing problems, CMP seeking approval for rate hike
Customers will be able to weigh in on the proposal during a series of public hearings set to begin at USM in Portland on July 16.
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Local & State
CMP’s president and owner are named as defendants in lawsuit claiming fraud
Law firms accuse Douglas Herling and Iberdrola of fraud and racketeering, opening the door to higher damages for ratepayers.
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Bill Nemitz
Bill Nemitz: Former Gov. Baldacci, a board member, hides from questions about CMP
Democrat John Baldacci, now a corporate leader for Central Maine Power's parent corporation, has little to say about the company's mistreatment of its customers.
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Editorials
Our View: Customers need real answers from Central Maine Power
Mainers continue to report bizarre electricity bills, raising questions about what's really going on.
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Business
Gov. Mills says CMP’s failure to address its billing problems is ‘unacceptable’
State leaders respond to a Press Herald/Sunday Telegram investigation detailing how the utility misled the public about its troubled new billing system that left thousands of customers angry and frustrated.
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Business
Public advocate wants new test of CMP’s troubled billing system
The test would attempt to detect patterns among customers who received high bills.
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Business
Customers with disputed CMP bills wonder: Should I pay?
You must pay a portion of any disputed bills, but you also have the right to negotiate a payment plan and file a complaint.
