Maine Leaders Propose Solutions to Enhance Grid as Electricity Prices Soar

Natural gas prices spike to record highs, driving up electricity costs across New England

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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In response to a recent cold snap that caused natural gas prices to spike to record highs across New England, Maine policymakers met to discuss solutions to the resulting rise in electricity costs. Experts cited the state's heavy reliance on natural gas for electricity generation, aging grid infrastructure, and slow permitting process for new renewable energy projects as key factors driving up prices. Proposed solutions include speeding up the permitting process, incentivizing renewable energy development, and modernizing the grid to improve load flexibility.

Why it matters

The sharp increase in electricity prices is putting a significant financial strain on Maine residents, with the state seeing the third-highest rise in average retail electricity prices nationally over the past decade. Addressing these issues is crucial to ensuring affordable and reliable electricity for Maine's homes and businesses.

The details

Natural gas accounted for 55% of total electricity generation on the New England grid in 2025, and prices spiked to record highs during a recent cold snap. This drove up wholesale electricity prices, which soared to $441.8/MWh on January 27th compared to an average of $135.08/MWh in January 2025. Experts cited the state's aging grid infrastructure, with some transmission lines 50-70 years old, as well as the slow permitting process for new renewable energy projects as key factors driving up costs. Proposed solutions include bringing in a third-party reviewer to speed up environmental permitting, providing incentives for developers to build projects where most needed, and modernizing the grid to improve load flexibility and accommodate more renewable energy sources.

  • On January 27th, Massachusetts saw the highest natural gas price ever recorded since grid operator ISO-New England updated its pricing database in 2003.
  • In February 2026, Maine policymakers met to discuss solutions to the rise in electricity costs.

The players

Philip Bartlett II

Chairman of the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

Dean Murphy

Brattle Group economist who presented a report on the issue.

Jeremy Payne

Cornerstone energy policy consultant and former director of the Maine Renewable Energy Association.

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What they’re saying

“The biggest challenge we're facing right now is affordability. We're seeing upward pressure on every component of the bill.”

— Philip Bartlett II, Chairman, Maine Public Utilities Commission (The Maine Monitor)

“When those pipelines get full, and there's a limited amount of capacity, prices tend to spike. We've seen that very dramatically in the last couple of weeks, when natural gas prices in New England got to, I believe, the highest level ever.”

— Dean Murphy, Economist, Brattle Group (The Maine Monitor)

“There are 49 other states competing for this investment capital, and, if we make it too hard, they're just not going to look here anymore. Ultimately, applicants need to be able to get ideally a yes. … But they'll even take a no; they just want to get to an answer.”

— Jeremy Payne, Energy Policy Consultant (The Maine Monitor)

What’s next

The Public Utilities Commission has a proposal request out for renewable energy projects in northern Maine and an accompanying transmission line, which could help diversify the state's energy sources and reduce reliance on natural gas.

The takeaway

Addressing Maine's heavy reliance on natural gas, aging grid infrastructure, and slow permitting process for renewable energy projects is crucial to ensuring affordable and reliable electricity for the state's homes and businesses in the long run.