February 2022 – AEA attended a meeting hosted by the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce and presented by Versant Power to discuss the recent rate increases, solar net energy billing and LD-1710.
July 2019 – AEA attended a Meet and Greet event hosted by Emera to introduce the CEO of ENMAX, Gianna Manes, to the local business community.
June 2019 – AEA hosted a meeting with officials from Emera that discussed Emera’s revised Capital Implementation Strategy and pending sale to ENMAX.
April 2019 – AEA held discussions with NMEISA regarding reciprocity.
March 2019 – AEA filed a Petition to Intervene in Emera’s Proposed 19% Distribution Rate Increase Case – Docket # 2019-00019
October 2018 – AEA met with Emera Maine’s President and Team on October 9, 2018 to view an informative presentation on Emera Maine’s basis for its transmission and distribution rates, forecasts and key metrics. The two groups pledged their mutual cooperation as they work to achieve their goals.
July 2018 – AEA attended a meeting hosted by Emera Maine on July 17, 2018 where they presented their decision on the ReEnergy Discount Request.
June 2018 – AEA met with Emera on June 27, 2018 to receive an update on the status of the ReEnergy Inc. discount request and to review Emera’s 2018 330 Filing. Emera explained that Maine PUC approved their Docket No. 2017-00198 requested spending of $10.1 million but allowed for only a 5.3% rate increase despite their request of 12% which resulted in about $6.7 million lower costs for all Northern Maine Ratepayers.
May 2018 – AEA and other concerned parties met with Emera on May 30, 2018 during a special PAG (Power Advisory Group) Meeting convened to discuss the ReEnergy Inc. discount request. Emera informed participants that they had hired London Economics, a consulting firm that specializes on energy plants, to review the financial status, operating environment and future viability of ReEnergy’s Fort Fairfield and Ashland Electricity Generation plants. Their findings based on financial and operating information provided by ReEnergy and their assessment of ReEnergy’s two plants announced for closure during 2018 will be reviewed by Emera and interested Stakeholders. Once complete, AEA will review London’s Economics findings and provide commentary and opinion which will be posted on it’s website.
May 2018 – AEA provided official testimony, on behalf of its Members, to oppose Emera’s Rate Case ( MPUC Docket No. 2017-00198) for a $10.1 million or 12% increase at the Maine PUC Hearing on May 1, 2018 in Orono, Maine.
March 2018 – AEA met with Maine PUC Commissioner Mark Vannoy to discuss important issues challenging the Northern Maine Grid. As a result, the Maine PUC has gathered major stakeholders in an issue resolution process. AEA developed an Issues List, in corporation with Aroostook Partnership, and jointly submitted it to the Maine PUC which has lead to the development of an aggressive agenda of tasks. NMISA, Emera, ReEnergy, Aroostook Partnership and AEA are a few of the many stakeholders involved.
March 2017 – AEA challenged Emera’s proposed Chapter 330 filing of capital expenditures totaling $77 million for the next 6 years. AEA was successful in negotiating a capex plan going out 17 years instead which reduced future T&D rate increases. Emera’s proposed capex would have doubled T&D rates for many of the rate classes if left unchecked.
February 2017 – AEA challenged the Maine Public Utilities Commission on the utility’s last distribution rate case that resulted in a positive settlement for Northern Maine which represented a 6% reduction from the proposed Emera increase of 12%.