50 Facts About Versant Power

Versant Power: A Century of Service

Versant Power has a rich history and a significant presence in northern and eastern Maine. Let's dive into some fascinating facts about this essential utility company.

1. Formation: Versant Power was created in January 2014 through the merger of Bangor Hydro Electric Company and Maine Public Service Company.
2. Ownership: ENMAX Corp., an energy company based in Calgary, Alberta, owns Versant Power.
3. Service Territory: The company serves a vast area of 10,400 square miles in northern and eastern Maine.
4. Customer Accounts: Versant Power provides electricity to 165,000 customer accounts.
5. Employees: Over 530 people work for Versant Power.
6. Transmission Lines: The company operates 1,265 miles of transmission lines.
7. Primary Distribution Lines: Versant Power manages 6,300 miles of primary distribution lines.
8. Regulation: The Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulate the utility.
9. Reliability and Safety: Versant Power invests in new technologies to enhance reliability and resiliency.
10. Community Involvement: The company engages with the community through various initiatives, including awarding grants to local non-profits.

Historical Milestones and Mergers

Versant Power's history is marked by significant milestones and mergers that shaped its current form.

11. Historical Milestones: Bangor Hydro Electric Company was organized in the summer of 1924, while Maine Public Service Company was founded in 1928.
12. Mergers and Acquisitions: Bangor Hydro became part of Emera Inc. in 2001. Emera later acquired Maine Public Service Company in 2010, leading to the merger in 2014.
13. Community Events: Versant Power celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024 with various community events, including visiting an 8th-generation family farm in Edmunds, Tide Mill Organic Farm.

Customer Choice and State Policies

Versant Power offers customers the option to choose their electricity supplier and implements state policies to promote renewable energy.

14. Customer Choice: Customers can choose their electricity supplier. Those who do not choose receive Standard Offer service.
15. State Policies and Programs: Versant Power implements state policies, including contracts with renewable generators and net energy billing.
16. Investment in Maine: ENMAX Corp. has committed to major investments in Maine to ensure safe and reliable electricity delivery and reduce rates for customers.

Customer Service and Community Engagement

Versant Power provides excellent customer service and engages with the community through various initiatives.

17. Customer Service: The company offers customer service through local and toll-free numbers, as well as online resources.
18. Vegetation Management: Versant Power offers vegetation management services to ensure the health and safety of its electrical infrastructure.
19. Media Contact: For media inquiries, customers can contact Versant Power at (207) 973-2550.
20. Delivery Address: The company's delivery address is 28 Penobscot Meadow Drive, Hampden, ME 04444.
21. Dig Safe: Customers are encouraged to call 811 for Dig Safe services to avoid damaging underground electrical infrastructure.
22. Historical Rates: Versant Power provides historical rate data for its customers through their website.
23. Business Assistance: The company offers personalized assistance for large businesses, including help with power needs and access to company bills.
24. Customer Contact Center Hours: The customer contact center operates from 7:30 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday.
25. Bill Payment: Customers can mail their bill payments to PO Box 16044, Lewiston, ME 04243-9527.
26. Local and In-State Toll-Free Numbers: Customers can report power outages or contact customer service using local and in-state toll-free numbers: (207) 973-2000 and 1-855-363-7211, respectively.
27. Emergency Contact: In the event of an electrical emergency, customers should call 911.

Celebrating 100 Years

In 2024, Versant Power celebrated its 100th anniversary with various activities and initiatives.

28. Vegetation Management Services: The company provides vegetation management services to ensure the health and safety of its electrical infrastructure.
29. Customer Bill Access: Versant Power allows customers to access their company bills online, providing personalized assistance for large businesses.
30. ENMAX Corp.: ENMAX Corp., the parent company of Versant Power, is a full-service energy company based in Calgary, Alberta, committed to major investments in Maine.
31. Regulatory Framework: The regulatory framework for Versant Power includes both state and federal regulations, ensuring compliance with the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
32. Customer Choice and Competition: While Versant Power provides Standard Offer service to customers who do not choose a competitive provider, the company also supports competitive electricity providers in Maine.
33. Net Energy Billing: Versant Power administers net energy billing to incentivize small-scale renewables, aligning with state policies aimed at promoting renewable energy.
34. Grid-Scale and Community-Scale Renewables: The company enters into contracts with grid-scale and community-scale renewable generators, selling the generated power at wholesale rates.
35. State Policies Implementation: As a regulated utility, Versant Power plays a crucial role in implementing state policies related to energy production and distribution.
36. Community Engagement: Versant Power engages with the community through various initiatives, including awarding grants to local non-profits and participating in community events.
37. Historical Information: Throughout 2024, Versant Power is celebrating its 100th anniversary by sharing historical information, customer features, and special giveaways.
38. Customer Features: The company highlights customer features such as personalized assistance for large businesses and access to historical rate data.
39. Special Giveaways: As part of its 100th anniversary celebration, Versant Power is offering special giveaways to its customers.
40. Local Non-Profit Grants: The company awarded ten $10,000 grants to local non-profits in 2024, totaling $100,000.

Districts and Customer Resources

Versant Power serves two distinct districts and provides various resources for its customers.

41. Customer Districts: Versant Power serves two distinct districts: the Bangor Hydro District and the Maine Public District. The Bangor Hydro District includes Hancock, Piscataquis, and Washington Counties, along with most of Penobscot County. The Maine Public District serves Aroostook County and a small piece of Penobscot County.
42. District Selector: Customers can identify their district on the Versant Power map or enter their town or zipcode to access specific information. The district selector button allows customers to switch between districts at any time.
43. Cookie Policy: If a customer's browser has cookies enabled, they will only need to make the district selection once. If cookies are disabled, the selection will be remembered until the browser is closed but not when returning to the site.
44. Customer Service Resources: Versant Power provides various customer service resources, including local and toll-free numbers, online resources, and mail-in bill payment options.
45. Vegetation Management Contact: Customers can contact Versant Power for more information on vegetation management services, which are crucial for maintaining the health and safety of electrical infrastructure.
46. Media Contact Information: For media inquiries, customers can contact Versant Power at (207) 973-2550.
47. Delivery Address Details: The company's delivery address is 28 Penobscot Meadow Drive, Hampden, ME 04444.
48. Dig Safe Services: Versant Power encourages customers to call 811 for Dig Safe services to avoid damaging underground electrical infrastructure.
49. Historical Rate Data Access: Customers can access historical rate data through Versant Power's website, providing them with valuable information about past electricity rates.
50. Business Assistance Programs: The company offers personalized assistance for large businesses, including help with power needs and access to company bills, ensuring that businesses receive the support they need to operate efficiently.

Versant Power: A Century of Service

Versant Power has been lighting up northern and eastern Maine for 100 years. Formed from the merger of Bangor Hydro Electric Company and Maine Public Service Company, it now serves 165,000 customer accounts. Owned by ENMAX Corp., Versant Power operates 1,265 miles of transmission lines and 6,300 miles of primary distribution lines. The company is committed to safety, reliability, and community involvement, awarding grants to local non-profits and celebrating its centennial with various events. Customers can choose their electricity supplier, and the company supports renewable energy initiatives. With over 530 employees, Versant Power continues to invest in Maine's energy infrastructure, ensuring a bright future for its customers. Whether you're a business needing personalized assistance or a resident looking for reliable service, Versant Power remains a cornerstone of Maine's energy landscape.