MAINE, USA — Thousands of Electricity Maine customers are set to receive refunds after being overcharged as part of a recent $6 million settlement with the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
The case stemmed from contract changes that left customers unknowingly paying higher variable rates, which led to skyrocketing electricity bills between 2022 and 2023.
"A lot of people signed up for it thinking they were saving money when it turned out they were being overcharged collectively millions of dollars," Maine Public Advocate William Harwood, who helped negotiate the settlement deal, said.
The settlement with Electricity Maine came after complaints were raised to people like Harwood. Affected customers should expect to see a refund of around $300 dollars.
In addition to the refunds, Electricity Maine has also been ordered to pay a $315,000 penalty to the PUC. PUC Chair Philip Bartlett said those funds often go toward consumer education and legislative changes related to the electricity sector.
Dan Allard, an independent energy advisor for Think Energy, said he knows firsthand how easy it is for consumers to lose track of their electricity rates. After being enticed by low rates himself from an energy retailer, he didn’t realize when those rates had changed. Now, he works to help others avoid the same situation.
"In Maine, a large majority don’t realize they have energy choice," Allard said.
He stressed the importance of being proactive, keeping track of current rates, and understanding usage to find the best deal.
NEWS CENTER Maine reached out to Electricity Maine and its parent company, Spark Energy, for a comment on the settlement but had not heard back by the time the story ran live on air.