Mainers' power bills will go up again in 2026 after the Maine Public Utilities Commission approves new annual contracts to supply electricity to the state's investor-owned transmission and distribution utilities.

Commissioners said increasing costs were linked to rising prices of natural gas across the country. About half of the power used in New England is generated by power plants that burn natural gas.

The PUC said electric rates for Central Maine Power Customers and Versant's Bangor Hydro District customers would go up about $11 a month, or $132 a year.

Versant's Maine Public District in far northern Aroostook County will see bills go up $16 a month, almost $200 a year.

Every year, the commission undergoes a competitive bidding process to select electricity suppliers that provide V

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