The Light Bill
Maine families pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country. It doesn't have to be this way.
It's January in Topsham. A family sits at the kitchen table with the CMP bill — $387 this month. That's up from $340 last winter. The dad does the math: that's two weeks of groceries. The mom pulls up her phone to check if there's a payment plan.
They're not behind on anything. They both work. They don't waste electricity. But every year, the bill climbs, and every year, it takes a bigger bite out of everything else — the kids' clothes, the car repair they've been putting off, the savings account that never seems to grow.
This isn't a policy problem to them. It's Tuesday night.
The Problem
The most expensive electricity in New England
Maine residential electricity rates are 65% above the national average — the equivalent of a hidden tax on every family and every business in the state.
The average Maine household pays $150 to $200 more per year than they did just a few years ago, with no end in sight.
High energy costs don't just hurt families — they drive away businesses. Manufacturers and employers look at our rates and choose other states.
We're dependent on imported natural gas and aging infrastructure, leaving us vulnerable to price spikes every winter.
“Cheap, reliable energy changes everything. It means manufacturers choose Maine. It means families can afford heating. It means we stop exporting our future.”
Ideas Worth Exploring
A path to affordable, reliable power
These aren't campaign promises — they're conversations we need to have. Real change takes coalition-building, and I want to bring these ideas to the table.
Explore proven clean energy technology
The U.S. Navy has safely operated small nuclear reactors for over 70 years without a single incident. Modern versions of this technology could dramatically cut Maine's electricity costs while providing clean, reliable baseload power. It's worth a serious conversation.
Real utility accountability
When CMP raises rates, Maine families have almost no recourse. We need stronger oversight, more transparency in rate-setting, and real consequences when utilities fail to deliver reliable service.
Make Maine an energy exporter
Instead of importing expensive power, Maine should be generating and selling affordable energy to the rest of New England. That's not just savings for families — it's revenue for the state.
District heating for Maine winters
Modern power generation can produce waste heat that warms thousands of homes. In a state where heating oil costs are a second energy crisis, cogeneration could save families thousands per year.
This matters to you?
Then let's do something about it. Every yard sign, every conversation, every bit of support moves the needle.