Regulators in Maine say rising electricity rates in New England are likely to become the norm over the next few years.
According to the Bangor Daily News, a report from the Maine Public Utilities Commission released Thursday found that natural gas prices and grid modernization will drive up overall electricity costs in the region.
Regulators cited an overreliance on natural gas, as well as grid improvements, increasing severity of storms that cause outages, and the rising cost of labor and materials.
ISO New England, which operates the region’s power grid, also warned of the possibility of controlled outages for the first time this winter in the event of a prolonged cold spell in which energy demand spikes.
