Dive Brief:

• Regulators in Maine have opened up the state's efficiency offerings to larger customers, a move aimed at lowering capacity and power prices.
• The programs are run by the state's independent efficiency organization, Efficiency Maine, which anticipates saving 44,400 MWh annually. The state's two investor-owned utilities,​ Central Maine Power and Emera Maine, will offer the efficiency programs in partnership with Efficiency Maine.
• Under the programs, larger commercial and industrial users will pay up to 3 cents per KWh for energy savings. Rates in Maine are set to spike, and the efficiency programs will provide much-needed relief.

Dive Insight:

Last year, Efficiency Maine helped reduce electric use in the state by more than 130,000 MWh, so the state's decision to include commercial and industrial customers means savings could reach almost 180,000 MWh going forward. And that's just in time, as Platts reports that natural gas prices mean power rates in the state are about to spike. Central Maine Power's rate for mid-sized non-residential customers will almost double in December. Bangor Hydro will see similar increases.

Under contracts with Efficiency Maine, the utilities will pay up to 3 cents/kWh for energy savings resulting from the efficiency projects with large customers.

Platts also reported that Efficiency Maine anticipates organizational growth. Its budget for large customers will double to about $13 million.