How electricity choice works in Maine
Maine’s electric restructuring law lets retail customers purchase electricity supply from a competitive electricity provider (CEP) licensed by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC). Delivery — the poles, wires, meters, and outage response — stays with your local utility. If you do not choose a CEP, you receive Standard Offer Service. The MPUC selects Standard Offer suppliers through a competitive bidding process. Standard Offer prices are set through that process and typically change on a calendar-year schedule; we do not publish those prices here.
You can compare a CEP offer with Standard Offer by reviewing your bill and the Commission’s Standard Offer information. After a residential or small commercial customer enrolls with a CEP, the provider must send a Terms of Service document and give the customer a short window to rescind. Peoples Power Choice can help you review those terms and consider a fixed-rate contract. We never quote variable or teaser prices, and we never invent a rate on this website.
Which utilities serve competitive supply customers
Most Maine customers take delivery from one of the two investor-owned transmission and distribution utilities:
- Central Maine Power (CMP)
- Versant Power, which has a Bangor Hydro District and a Maine Public District
CMP and Versant deliver the power, maintain the wires, read the meter, send the bill, and restore service after an outage. They include the supply charges on the bill and pass payments through to the supplier when you choose a CEP. Supplier availability can differ by district, especially between Versant’s two districts, so the utility name on your bill matters.
Maine also has consumer-owned utilities. Delivery may come from one of those utilities rather than CMP or Versant, and competitive-supply options can work differently there. If your bill is not from CMP or Versant, tell us in the chat or contact the MPUC so we do not assume you have the same shopping choices.
What your utility still does
Your distribution utility still delivers electricity, maintains the system, reads the meter, and handles outages. Choosing a supplier does not change who comes out when the power is out. CMP and Versant are not the companies setting a Standard Offer price for their own profit; Standard Offer is arranged through the MPUC’s bid process, and the utility bills on behalf of the supplier.
How a broker helps with shopping and renewals
Peoples Power Choice is independent. We help CMP and Versant customers compare licensed CEPs, read contract length and early-termination terms, and plan a renewal or a return to Standard Offer when a contract is ending. A recent bill is the most useful starting point because it shows your utility, usage, and current supply arrangement.
Start a chat with Optimus — it will open already set to Maine — upload a recent bill, or call 855-330-3580. A specialist follows up with current fixed-rate options only. Leads go to info@peoplespowerchoice.com.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose my electricity supplier in Maine?
Most customers of Central Maine Power and Versant Power can choose a competitive electricity provider licensed by the Maine Public Utilities Commission, or they can remain on Standard Offer Service. If a consumer-owned utility delivers your power, options may differ — check with that utility or the MPUC.
What is Standard Offer Service?
Standard Offer is the default electricity supply for customers who do not choose a competitive provider. The Maine Public Utilities Commission arranges Standard Offer through a competitive bid. Your local utility still delivers the power and typically bills the supply charges.
If I switch suppliers, who do I call for an outage?
Call your delivery utility — Central Maine Power, Versant Power, or your consumer-owned utility. That company still maintains the wires and restores power. The competitive provider supplies the energy; it does not replace the utility for outages.
How does a Maine energy broker help, and do you show rates here?
Peoples Power Choice reviews your bill and presents fixed-rate options from licensed providers. We do not publish Standard Offer or supplier prices on this page, and the Ask Optimus chat never invents a number. Start a Maine chat, upload a bill, or call 855-330-3580.
Official sources
These are the government and utility references used for this page. They are the best place to confirm whether your address can shop.
- Maine Public Utilities Commission — consumer FAQs — explains Standard Offer, how to choose a CEP, and that delivery stays with CMP, Versant, or a consumer-owned utility
- Maine Office of the Public Advocate — electricity supply options — lists Standard Offer and competitive providers by utility territory, including Versant’s districts
- Central Maine Power — choose a supplier — describes CEP choice versus Standard Offer and that CMP delivers the electricity and bills supply charges
- Versant Power — electric choice — Versant delivers, maintains the wires, bills, and restores outages; customers may choose a licensed CEP or Standard Offer