MAINE, USA — Maine families are struggling to keep up with some of the highest electricity rates in the nation. A report from the Electric Ratepayer Advisory Council reveals that nearly 100,000 low-income households are unable to afford their electricity bills.
"We really do have a serious problem with low-income customers affording their electricity bill," Maine's Public Advocate William Harwood said.
According to the report, low-income households in Maine spend, on average, about eight percent of their income on electricity costs. It's double the threshold recommended by consumer experts.
Harwood and the Electric Ratepayer Advisory Council are calling on the Maine Legislature to increase funding for the Low-Income Assistance Program, which provides financial relief for struggling families. However, the program is underfunded by approximately $70 million annually, Harwood said.
"We as a government and we as a society have a responsibility to help these people," he emphasized.
To address the funding gap, Harwood offered two potential solutions. "We can either get more taxpayer funding and have the General Fund contribute money to this program, or we can do what we've traditionally done, which is have the Public Utilities Commission handle it through rates and have everyone's rates go up modestly in order to provide more support."
The call for legislative action comes as Maine residents prepare for higher electricity bills next year. Versant Power stated that customers in the Bangor Hydro District will see an average increase of $7 per month, while those in the Maine Public District will experience a smaller increase of $1.84 per month.
Central Maine Power customers are also expected to see a seven percent increase in their monthly bills. Spokesperson Job Breed attributed the rising costs to a higher transmission rate approved by a federal commission.
"These folks will continue to struggle," Harwood warned. "They will continue to fall behind in their electricity payments."
In addition to advocating for more funding, the report pushes for improved consumer education and outreach to help low-income families use electricity more efficiently.