AARP rips CMP for ‘inexcusable billing mistakes,’ urges opposition to rate increase

Hundreds of elderly Mainers oppose Central Maine Power’s proposed rate increase, according to the Maine AARP, which is arguing that the power giant “should not be rewarded” for its overbilling and poor performance.

In a letter published in numerous MaineToday publications on Tuesday, Maine AARP advocacy director Austin Hodges said that his office has heard from more than 450 CMP customers who expressed “outrage” over the proposed $46.5 million rate increase.

“Even if CMP wasn’t already under intense scrutiny for inexcusable billing mistakes, the current proposed rate increase would still be unaffordable for Mainers,” Hodges wrote. “However, during three recent public hearings, consumers shared how CMP overbilled them, failed to correct the billing errors, and subjected them to an appalling customer service system.”

Further, Hodges pointed out that rate request comes at the same time that CMP’s international parent company, Iberdrola, announced “double-digit growth in their profits.”

“We think it’s time to put ratepayers ahead of shareholders and pay Maine back first,” the letter concludes.

Before public hearings last month, ratepayers held a press conference during which they shared personal stories highlighting the impact that CMP’s billing errors and mismanagement are having on people’s lives. A number of those who spoke expressed support for a proposal to create a state-wide consumer owned utility, which the Maine Public Utilities Commission is currently studying.