Understanding Summit Natural Gas of Maine’s New Rate Plan

6/29/2023

At Summit Natural Gas of Maine (Summit), we provide safe, reliable, and affordable natural gas to Mainers, their families, and businesses in our community. We look forward to keeping our promise of doing so for years to come.

Summit is proud to maintain a state-of-the-art natural gas distribution system and provide services to thousands of customers for heating their homes, hot water, and cooking for their friends and family, among many other uses.

To do this, Summit must maintain and invest in more than 300 miles of pipeline while continuing to provide the quality customer service you’ve come to expect from this local natural gas utility company.

This year our existing rate plan is expiring, and we were required to revise our rate plan at its expiration date. It was established in 2013 when Summit first began serving communities in Maine. We are happy to report we have reached an agreement on a new rate plan that satisfies the interests of all parties involved. Most importantly, you – our customers.

Summit worked with the parties to the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) proceeding to establish a 3-year rate plan that will increase rates for our Maine customers starting on July 1, 2023. Beginning on that date, you will see these changes on your bill:

• Residential Rates: Service and Facility Charge will go from $22.79 a month to $25.52 a month. Distribution Charge will go from $1.024 per therm to $1.147 per therm.
• Small Commercial Rates: Service and Facility Charge will go from $37.58 a month to $42.09 a month. Distribution Charge will go from $0.904 per therm to $1.012 per therm.
• Large Commercial Rates: Service and Facility Charge will go from $324.66 a month to $363.62 a month. Distribution Charge will go from $0.665 per therm to $0.745 per therm.

We understand that any rate change can impact our customers, so we have a gradual rate adjustment over the coming years. In 2024 and 2025, the rates can increase again by 9%, and this will limit the overall impact on customer bills at one time.

The new rate plan increases Summit’s delivery rates (the distribution and service & facility rates); it does not include the cost of gas itself.

In partnership with the parties to the MPUC proceeding (including the Public Advocate), the new rate plan was determined over the last year. The MPUC has reviewed our materials and documentations, held hearings, and gathered input from the public before issuing a final decision. This decision allows homeowners to choose their heating fuel in a competitive utility market.

At Summit, we work hard to keep our rates low while continuing to invest in our infrastructure and building natural gas services to new communities. The revenue from our rates goes toward the following: Efficient response times to customer service calls so we can get questions answered quickly and thoroughly; 24-hour, seven days per week, and 365 days per year dispatch and emergency response; Investments in new, smart technologies to monitor, inspect and protect the integrity of our pipeline system so gas is delivered safely and reliably to our customers; Educational programs to train contractors, customers, communities, public safety officials, and first responders to help prevent damage to our underground pipes and protect those who live and work near them; and Employees live and work in the communities we serve so they can report to local offices and quickly respond to service calls, continually monitor our pipeline system, detect leaks, and make needed repairs so we can get gas to you when you need it.