Maine’s utilities regulator will gauge public opinion on Unitil Corp.’s (NYSE: UTL) proposed natural gas rate increases at two public hearings this month.
The hearings are scheduled for 5 p.m. today at Portland City Hall and Tuesday, July 28, at 5 p.m. at the Lewiston Public Library. Customers may testify in person or remotely.
The New Hampshire-based utility, which provides natural gas service to customers across southern and central Maine, has asked the Maine Public Utilities Commission to approve an increase in its distribution rates.
If the request is approved as filed, the average residential heating customer would pay about $11.04 more per month, or 9.6% above the current bill.
The proposed rates are intended to support the company’s growing distribution system investments and rising operating costs.
“Periodic rate reviews enable us to continue providing customers with safe and reliable service,” Unitil spokeswoman Amanda Vicinanzo said last month. “Any proposed changes undergo a thorough review by the Maine Public Utilities Commission to ensure they are fair, transparent and support the delivery of safe and dependable service for customers.”
Unitil anticipates that the new rates would take effect between June 1 and July 1, 2027.
The company said that its last base rate case was filed in 2023 and that the impact of the proposed change would vary depending on rate class and usage.
Customers of Maine Natural Gas and Bangor Natural Gas would not see a rate increase as a result of the filing, according to Unitil.
Regulatory review
As part of its review, the Maine Public Utilities Commission will consider several issues, including the level of profit Unitil should be allowed to earn for its shareholders.
Ahead of the hearings, the Maine Office of the Public Advocate is encouraging Unitil customers to testify about how the proposed rate increase would affect their households.
“Mainers are already feeling the strain of higher costs for housing, groceries, insurance and energy,” said Public Advocate Heather Sanborn. “These hearings allow customers to tell the PUC what another increase in their monthly bills would mean for their families and budgets.”
