Comment on Few people show for first hearing on CMP rates in Portland, but those who did criticized the utility heavily

About 30 witnesses and as many onlookers showed up in Portland Tuesday night for a chance to testify before regulators about high bills, customer service issues and a requested rate increase by Central Maine Power Co. Only a handful of protesters showed, including two holding a sign calling for CMP to be replaced by a consumer-owned utility company. Most witnesses complained about faulty smart meter readings, escalating electric bills, erratic bills ranging from $300 one month to $800 or $1,100 in other months, long call hold times or no response at all from CMP’s customer service and poor electric service from CMP.