MPUC Expert Witness Hearing on Bangor Hydro and Maine Public Service Merger Case Hearing Cancelled—Settlement Talks Continue
August 31, 2010
Augusta, Maine—The Maine Public Utilities Commission has cancelled—at the parties’ request—an expert witness hearing regarding the joint petition for Commission approval of Emera, Inc.’s (parent company of Bangor Hydro Electric-BHE) acquisition of Maine and Maritimes Corporation (M&M--parent company of Maine Public Service--MPS). Settlement discussions among the petitioners, intervenors in the case, and Commission staff were held throughout today—Tuesday August 31st. Sufficient progress was made in these discussions that the parties requested—and the Commission agreed--that the expert witness hearing be cancelled. Proceedings in the case will now continue. When a new case schedule is established (including a possible hearing on any settlement agreement), it will be made publicly available.
Background:
BHE is Maine’s second largest transmission and distribution utility, serving over 117,000 customers in Aroostook, Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo and Washington counties. BHE owns approximately 675 miles of transmission lines and 4850 miles of distribution lines. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Emera—a diversified energy and services company headquartered in Nova Scotia. MPS is Maine’s third largest transmission and distribution utility, serving approximately 36,000 customers in Aroostook County and a small portion of Penobscot County. MPS, with headquarters in Presque Isle, owns approximately 380 miles of transmission lines and 1806 miles of distribution lines. MPS is a subsidiary of M&M.
A joint petition from BHE and MPS regarding this merger was filed in March. The Commission’s proceeding has included data requests and responses, and technical and case conferences. Following these planned expert witness hearings, briefs from the case parties will be filed by September 17 and the staff’s Hearing Examiner’s Report will be released in the beginning of October. A Commission decision will follow later in the fall.
For more information: For an agenda of the hearings please call or email Evelyn deFrees. For further background, visit the Commission’s virtual case file through the website, www.maine.gov/mpuc and search for Docket Number: 2010-89.
Contact: Evelyn deFrees, 207-287-6141 evelyn.defrees@maine.gov
