News & Press Releases

As severe weather events become more frequent across Maine, communities like Eastport are recognizing the importance of grid modernization and resilience planning. Through a combination of infrastructure investment and forward-thinking energy strategies, Eastport is taking meaningful steps toward a stronger, safer, and more reliable electric future.

If you’ve stepped outside recently, you know it has been cold. Extended stretches of below-freezing temperatures, especially overnight lows dipping into the teens and single digits, mean heating systems are working harder and running longer to keep homes comfortable. When temperatures drop like this, it’s normal to see higher electric usage.

Versant Power’s Power Partners Program highlights how employees are making a difference beyond the grid. From individual efforts like monthly meals at a local soup kitchen to team projects with organizations such as Window Dressers, the program turns time and teamwork into meaningful community support—funded by shareholders, not ratepayers.

During 2025, customers across Versant Power’s service territory saw improved reliability in their electric service thanks to Versant’s continued work on system maintenance, strategic investments, and weather factors such as a reduced number of storms. Weather, specifically falling trees and limbs during bad weather, is the No. 1 cause of power outages.

On January 1, standard offer supply prices will increase for all Versant customers in the Bangor Hydro District. Versant’s Maine Public District will also see supply rate changes, with residential and small commercial customers seeing a rate increase, while medium and large commercial rates will decrease slightly. The Bangor Hydro District will also see an increase in the transmission rate on their bills.

In 2025, Versant Power invested more than $550,000 in communities across its service territory through its charitable giving and sponsorships programs, supporting a variety of organizations and initiatives focusing on energy affordability, basic needs, local events, and employee-selected programs.

Environmental stewardship is a critical part of delivering safe, reliable electricity across Maine. At Versant Power, that responsibility is led by an Environmental Team of three, bringing 50 years of combined experience to the work they do every day. From protecting wildlife to training employees and ensuring regulatory compliance, their efforts quietly support customers and communities across our service territory.

Versant Power is preparing for impacts of high winds and heavy rain expected to begin Friday afternoon. Wind gusts up to 65 mph are predicted throughout our service territory through late Friday night, with the highest winds expected along the coast and inland to Bangor.

As Maine continues moving toward a cleaner energy future, Versant Power is building the technology needed to keep the grid strong, steady, and ready for the increased flow of renewable power. One of the most important steps in that journey is happening right now in the Hancock County community of Sullivan, where a new Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) has been installed to support power coming in from a nearby coastal wind farm.

Versant Power has successfully achieved its goal of matching $200,000 in donations through its charitable matching program, Power Match. Launched in December 2022, Power Match provided electricity bill credits averaging $375 per household to more than 800 customers in need within the communities we serve.

Versant Power just unveiled a new custom-built mobile substation — a powerhouse on wheels designed to keep customers connected during upgrades or emergencies.

Versant Power is pleased to announce that Erica Young will join the organization next year as president. Erica will replace outgoing president John Flynn, who has announced plans to retire effective April 30, 2026, after more than 40 years in the utility industry and five years leading the Versant Power team.

Starting Oct. 1, all Versant Power customers will see changes to the Stranded Costs rate and Public Policy Charge on their bills. Changes are due to the recent enactment of two pieces of legislation: LD 1792, An Act to Ensure Fair and Equitable Recovery of Post-restructuring Stranded Costs, and LD 1777, An Act to Reduce Costs and Increase Customer Protections for the State’s Net Energy Billing Programs.

Versant Power will be replacing aging equipment with new smart devices called Compact Modular Reclosers (CMRs) along Route 193 in the Deblois and Beddington area. Work is expected to be completed in October.

Versant Power will be making upgrades to a Surry distribution line beginning next week. The project will improve service for approximately 300 customers on the easterly side of Toddy Pond.

Versant Power will hold a virtual session on its integrated grid planning work at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 10. This

Starting July 1, all Versant Power customers will see changes on their bills. Bangor Hydro District customers will see changes to stranded cost, distribution, conservation, and Public Policy Charge rates and customers in the Maine Public District will see changes to their stranded cost, distribution, transmission, and conservation and Public Policy Charge rates.

Six miles of weakened equipment that is over sixty years old will be removed and replaced from Hamlin to Van Buren.

Versant Power will replace over 20 miles of bare wire with covered conductor in 2025. Covered conductor is a type of wire wrapped in an insulated material that makes it more resistant when trees and branches contact the line, helping to prevent faults and outages.

Osprey pairs that nest on Versant Power’s Lamoine and Mount Desert Island nesting platforms have returned and are available for 24/7 viewing at versantpower.com/osprey