Maine’s Versant Power provides relief for customers

Maine’s Versant Power is distributing roughly $5 million in relief to low-income customers in northern and eastern Maine.

Versant Power, working with the Maine State Housing Authority and the Office of Public Advocate, will ensure all customers who have been deemed eligible for the 2020 federal Home Energy Assistance Program receive a $350 credit on their electricity bill. Also, customers of neighboring electric utilities will receive their credit directly from their utility.

Versant officials said the rate relief is a direct benefit of ENMAX’s acquisition of the company. Among other benefits, Versant Power customers are paying lower distribution rates for the remainder of 2020. This amounts to more than $8 million in relief.

Customers who did not seek assistance in 2020 but may be eligible in the coming year are encouraged to apply for assistance through their local Community Action Program or tribal organization. Officials added that newly eligible customers will receive a similar electricity bill credit at some point during the 2021 program year until the funds have been exhausted.

Versant Power is the state’s second-largest electric utility. The company delivers electricity to more than 159,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers across 10,400 square miles in five counties in eastern and northern Maine.