It means that since March 2000 you have the power to choose which company supplies your electricity. The delivery of your electricity will continue to be provided by Bangor Hydro.

Electric choice lets you choose the services that best meet your needs. You may shop around for electricity supply based on:

• Price
• Terms of contract
• Customer service options
• Mix of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources

What does Bangor Hydro provide?

You still receive delivery service from Bangor Hydro, as we will continue to maintain wires and poles, send you a bill, read your meter and restore power during an outage. However, we are not in the electricity supply business (electricity generation).

Consumers may receive information about new electricity suppliers offering power at competitive prices. As a consumer, you have the opportunity to choose your new electricity supplier. If a consumer selects a competitive electricity supplier, they may select only one who is licensed to do business in Maine. The PUC maintains a list of all electricity suppliers licensed to sell power in Bangor Hydro's service territory.

If you don't choose, or are unable to choose a competitive electricity supplier, you will automatically receive Standard Offer Service. You may stay with Standard Offer Service or change suppliers at any time.

Each year, the PUC will conduct a bid to select the Standard Offer provider. The Standard Offer price is set by the PUC and may change annually or more often if conditions warrant.

All competitive electricity providers, including standard offer providers, must provide no less than 30% of their total kilowatt-hour sales to customers in Maine with electricity generated from eligible renewable resources.