Electricity Enrollment FAQs
Why should I switch to Dead River Company as my electricity supplier?
If your utility bill still says "Standard Offer", you can save up to 6% per month (for residential customers) by switching to Dead River Company as your Electricity Supplier. When you switch, you can trust Dead River Company to keep prices low month after month.
Do I need to be a Dead River Company fuel customer?
To have Dead River Company as your Electricity Supplier, it is not necessary for you to be a fuel customer. However, we would be happy to discuss all of the advantages of choosing Dead River Company to heat and cool your home. When you open a new Dead River Company automatic delivery central heat account, you'll receive a $100 account credit. Learn more.
Where does Dead River Company offer electricity?
Currently Dead River Company supplies electricity to the Central Maine Power and Bangor Hydro Electric markets. This means our electricity sales cover almost the entire state of Maine.
We are currently evaluating selling electricity in other areas of our footprint. If you'd like us to contact you when we are offering electricity in your market, please let us know by submitting this online form!
Will Dead River Company's rates always be lower than the Standard Offer?
We are committed to ensuring that your rate is lower than the standard offer rate.
Do I have to sign a contract?
For Dead River Company to be your electricity supplier, you will need to accept our Terms of Service.
Will my electric rate fluctuate?
With Dead River Company as your electricity supplier, your rate is fixed for a year and will not vary from month to month during this time.
Can I avoid the recent Central Maine Power and Bangor Hydro Electric delivery charge increases by switching to Dead River Company?
The recent increase in charges was for delivery and transmission of your electricity, and these charges affect all Central Maine Power and Bangor Hydro Electric customers and cannot be avoided. However, by switching to Dead River Company as your Electricity Supplier, you will lower the cost of the actual power that you consume. Lowering your supply rate will help offset the increase in transmission and delivery rates.
Will my electricity be interrupted if I switch?
No. Switching electricity suppliers will not interrupt or make your power less reliable in any way. Central Maine Power or Bangor Hydro Electric will continue to distribute your electricity. And will still be there in the event of a power outage.
How can I take advantage of off-peak power?
If you install an Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) unit, you can take advantage of off-peak power to heat the unit. Utility companies - like Central Maine Power and Bangor Hydro Electric in Maine - offer lower or discounted electric rates, commonly referred to as "Off-peak" rates. Throughout the night when most are asleep, there is a significantly lower usage of electricity by consumers; these are referred to as "off-peak hours". During "off-peak hours," there is a reduced strain on electricity generation and distribution systems. The savings Utilities experience are generally passed on to customers through lower or discounted transmission and distribution (T&D) rates - or "Off-peak" rates.
As a Maine PUC approved Competitive Electricity Provider, Dead River Company sells both around-the-clock electricity - at a rate lower than the standard offer, as well as off-peak electricity for customers with ETS units in the Central Maine Power and Bangor Hydro Electric markets of Maine.
In Maine, off-peak electricity can be used to heat Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) units at rates that are comparable to fuel oil at $2.90/gallon.
Will the reliability of my service be affected if I change providers?
No. Rest assured you will continue to receive the same reliable service from Central Maine Power and Bangor Hydro Electric. They will continue to deliver your electricity and restore power during outages as normal.
Who do I contact if the power goes out?
If your power goes out or if you need service, please continue to call Central Maine Power (CMP) or Bangor Hydro Electric (BHE).
CMP: 1-800-696-1000
BHE: 1-800-440-1111
Will I get two electric bills - one from my utility company and one from Dead River Company?
No. On your electric bill there is a charge for "Electricity Delivery" and another for "Electricity Supply". Central Maine Power and Bangor Hydro Electric are responsible for the Delivery charges on your bill. Delivery charges cover the cost of maintaining lines and meters, responding to outages and overseeing your account.
The "Supply" charges are the cost of acquiring the actual electricity flowing into your home. Dead River Company will be listed as your "Electricity Supply" on your utility bill. Other than that, there will be no changes to the billing process.
Is there a fee to switch to Dead River Company as my electricity provider?
Please check with your current provider.
What if I want to cancel?
As stated in our Terms of Service, if you cancel your electricity service within one year of enrollment a $50 Cancellation Fee is applied to residential electricity service accounts and a $75 Cancellation Fee is applied to ETS electricity service accounts.
How do I sign up?
It's easy and takes about 5 minutes. There are three ways you enroll and start saving...
- Visit our website: www.deadriver.com/electricity
- To enroll by phone, please call toll-free: 1-855-207-1600
- Click here to print, complete and return the Enrollment form to us, and one of our representatives will contact you.
When will Dead River Company become my electricity supplier?
Dead River Company will be your electricity supplier within one to two billing cycles after your next meter reading.
If I am on a budget or payment plan with Central Maine Power or Bangor Hydro Electric, can I still sign up Dead River Company?
If you are currently on a budget or payment plan, before switching to Dead River Company as your Electricity Supplier, you must first contact your Utility Company to discontinue your budget or payment plan. At this time, Dead River Company is not offering any type of electricity budget or payment plan, but evaluating this as a future option to offer our electricity customers.
If I currently make monthly budget payments to Dead River Company for my fuel, can I add in my electricity payments?
Yes, you can still maintain your budget or payment plan arrangements when you sign up with Dead River Company as your electricity supply provider. To enroll, complete and submit the enrollment form online or call us at 1-855-207-1600.
What happens if I move?
If you are moving within the Central Maine Power (CMP) or Bangor Hydro Electric (BHE) market, you will need to contact your utility company to make them aware of the move and to establish the new account for the location you're moving to. The utility company will transition your Dead River Company electricity account to your new location.
If you are moving from one utility area to another, you must contact your utility company to make them aware of the move and to establish your new account for the location you're moving to. Then, you'll need to re-enroll with Dead River Company as your electricity supplier.
Where does the Electricity come from?
The power used in Maine comes from a blend of many renewable and nonrenewable sources. Approximately 40% of the power in Maine comes from clean burning natural gas power plants. Other sources include biomass, hydro, wind, and nuclear. For more information, please click here.
What portion of the electricity sold by Dead River Company is 'green' energy?
A minimum of 35% of the power Dead River Company purchases comes from "renewable" power sources. For more information, please click here.
Why is the Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) rate the same as the residential rate in the Bangor Hydro Electric territory?
At Dead River Company, it is our goal to keep our electric supply rates below the Standard Offer, and presently the Standard Offer (set by the PUC) is lower in the Bangor Hydro Electric market. To offer a similar savings in both areas, our new Around-the-Clock rate in the BHE area happens to be the same as our new off-peak power rate.
Why are the rates for the Central Maine Power (CMP) and Bangor Hydro Electric (BHE) markets different?
At Dead River Company, it is our goal to keep our electric supply rates below the Standard Offer, and presently the Standard Offer (set by the PUC) is lower in the Bangor Hydro Electric market. Both rates offer a similar savings over the area's Standard Offer.
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