MPUC Denies Temporary Rates for CMP in Rate Case

The Maine PUC voted in deliberations to deny temporary rates for CMP. Acadia Center has written in the docket on multiple occasions that temporary rates were not appropriate for many reasons, including that the primary justification CMP gave for its request, that it is in dire financial straits from underearning its allowed ROE and its credit metrics are at risk, is, at minimum, "overstated and certainly would not justify the company reneging on its legal obligation to provide safe, reliable, and adequate service," as CMP appear to have threatened by publicly identifying specific projects that it says will need to be paused if temporary rates aren't granted. NRCM, Acadia Center and CLF Joint Comments in Support of Recommended Decision at 2. Indeed, Chair Phil Bartlett, in his last meeting, stated that this appears to be a problem of CMP's own making - a sentiment that reflects arguments Acadia Center has made.