Central Maine Power Company, together with Barry Hobbins, Public Advocate, on behalf of the Office of the Public Advocate , will submit a request to the Maine Public Utilities Commission to extend the protections afforded residential customers during the winter disconnection period from April 15 to May 15, in recognition of the potential economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

CMP is also implementing necessary business precautions and contingency plans to support employees’ first responder roles.

“In this unique time of uncertainty over the impacts of COVID-19, we want to reassure customers that we would like to work with them if they are challenged to pay their bills, and would like to extend the period in which disconnections are prohibited until Maine has a better understanding of how people are dealing with the consequences of the pandemic,” said David Flanagan, Executive Board Chairman of CMP.

CMP and the OPA began discussing the proposal Friday and have worked this weekend to prepare the request, which will be filed with the MPUC on Monday, March 16.

CMP encourages any customer who is challenged to pay their electric bills to call the company to discuss possible sources of assistance and individual payment arrangements.