Maine Public Utilities Commission

NEWS RELEASE

Maine Public Utilities Commission
242 State Street
Augusta, Maine 04333-0018
Website: http://www.maine.gov/mpuc/, Email: maine.puc@maine.gov
CONTACT: Matt Thayer, 207.287.1594, matt.thayer@maine.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2005

PUC Launches Energy Market 2005 Seminar Series
Extends Registration Deadlines

AUGUSTA, ME – The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) announced today that it is launching The Energy Market 2005, a series of electricity market seminars and trade shows for medium class commercial and industrial consumers. The five-event series will occur in locations across the state. The first seminar takes place next Thursday April 14 in Auburn.

The seminars provide medium class commercial and industrial customers – including municipal and institutional consumers -- an opportunity to learn more about Maine’s new electricity supply market and to meet with electricity suppliers, aggregators and brokers active in the industry. Medium class customers of Bangor Hydro Electric, Central Maine Power, and Maine Public Service Company are encouraged to attend. Pre-registration is required.

Since Maine restructured its electric industry and introduced competition in March 2000, thousands of Maine business and municipal consumers have shopped for and selected competitive suppliers. Many thousands of others are still taking standard offer service, the default supply program for those consumers who either do not or cannot find an attractive option in the competitive market.

Sharon Reishus, interim PUC Chairman, notes that: “With energy prices becoming increasingly volatile, medium class commercial and industrial consumers who value long-term price certainty may find they have more attractive, longer-term options available from competitive suppliers. These seminars are designed to help them better understand the new market and explore their options.”

The half-day seminars include presentations from the Maine Public Utilities Commission, Bangor Hydro Electric and Central Maine Power Company, the Maine Green Power Connection, and Attorney Seth Shortlidge. The seminars also include presentations from a couple of medium class consumers who are buying in the market, and a panel of electricity suppliers, aggregators and brokers. The seminars will conclude with a trade show at which active providers are represented.

The Energy Market 2005 seminar schedule is as follows:

· Thursday, April 14 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn

· Wednesday, April 27 at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer

· Thursday, May 12 at the Marriott at Sable Oaks in South Portland

· Wednesday, May 25 at the Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport

· Wednesday, June 8 at the Holiday Inn in Ellsworth

The seminars and trade show are free, and run from about 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pre-registration is required. The seminars include a complimentary breakfast and lunch for all pre-registered medium class consumers.

Electricity providers attending the seminar and trade show include: Competitive Energy Services; Constellation NewEnergy; DTE Energy Trading; Global Companies; Maine PowerOptions; Select Energy; Suez Energy Resources; and WPS Energy Services.

Local distribution utilities will provide pre-registered consumers with copies of their more recent usage data at the seminars. This data will help consumers as they explore pricing and contract options with attending electricity providers.

The PUC has extended the customer registration deadlines, which are now as follows:

· April 19 for April 27 event

· May 5 for May 12 event

· May 18 for May 25 event

· June 1 for June 8 event

Seating is limited, so please register early.

To register, or for more information, please visit www.maine.gov/mpuc. Customers without internet access should call the PUC at 1-800-452-4699 for a registration form.

The events are being sponsored in cooperation with Bangor Hydro Electric Company and Central Maine Power Company.

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For more information:

All PUC New Releases maybe found on our website at: http://www.maine.gov/mpuc/newsreleases2003.htm

To arrange an interview with Chairman Reishus or Commissioner Diamond, please contact Phillip Lindley at 207.287.1598 or by e-mail at phil.lindley@maine.gov. The Commission’s website may be accessed through the Maine School and Library Network at all public libraries in Maine.