The Bangor Daily News has updated with 2015 data its recent review of competitive supplier electric rates versus the Standard Offer and reported that, based on EIA aggregate data, Maine residential customers on competitive electric supply paid in aggregate $32 million more than default service

"The data give a sense of how the prices compare in aggregate but don’t necessarily show that all customers of competitive suppliers would have been better off getting the default price during these years," the BDN notes

The Bangor Daily News noted that the $32 million premium works out to about $31 more per month paid by shopping customers, in aggregate.

The BDN's analysis showed that of 15 residential suppliers, only one (Ambit) saved customers money in aggregate, though several other suppliers only had a few thousand dollars or more in aggregate cost versus the utility, which, based on their customer count, works out to a few dollars, or less, per month over the Standard Offer

The Bangor Daily News cited Electricity Maine, LLC as accounting for $25 million of the aggregate higher cost of suppliers in 2015.

Spark Energy, which acquired Electricity Maine, LLC this year (after the period of such charges), provided the following statement to RetailEnergyX.com:

“Spark Energy purchases electricity and natural gas supply to meet the needs of our customers nationwide. In Maine, we notify the customer twice before expiration. If the customer does not terminate the contract, we renew the contract as provided in the customer’s terms of service and in full compliance with Maine’s regulations on renewals.”  

[11/21 Note: Spark Energy provided an updated statement to correct an earlier statement]

See the Bangor Daily News for the story, including aggregate comparison versus default service for all suppliers