AUGUSTA, Maine — Residential and small business electricity customers in Maine are set to face higher bills in 2026 after the Maine Public Utilities Commission accepted bids for the state’s Standard Offer electricity supply rates.

The Standard Offer serves as the default supply rate and is billed through utilities including Central Maine Power, Versant Power’s Bangor Hydro District, and Maine Public District.

The approved rates, separate from distribution and transmission charges, are expected to raise monthly bills by an average of $13 to $17, according to Maine Public Advocate Heather Sanborn. She said the increase is driven by higher natural gas prices and changes in the wholesale market that introduced new pricing risks for suppliers.

“Coming just one day after the PUC dismissed C

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