Dozens of ratepayers turned out in Freeport Tuesday to speak out against a proposed electricity rate hike sought by Central Maine Power.

A group of protesters converged outside the Freeport Town Hall an hour before the Maine Public Utilities Commission hearing. They carried signs that read "fight the hike!" and "stop CMP corporate handouts!" Central Maine Power's proposed rate hike would take place over the course of five years and cost about $35 more per month for the average Maine household.

The utility company, which services nearly 700,000 customers, says it will help pay for needed improvements such as tree trimming, storm cost recovery and expansions to the grid and to the customer service staff — all aimed at making the system more reliable and resilient.

Former state Democratic

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