Governor Mills Announces Phil Bartlett Will Step Down as Chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission

Under Bartlett, PUC strengthened accountability, expanded assistance for low-income ratepayers, and preserved Maine's iconic '207' area code

Podgorica, MONTENEGRO - Governor Janet Mills today announced that Phil Bartlett will step down as Chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) next month for a new opportunity in the private sector.

During his tenure, Bartlett led significant reforms to hold utilities accountable, protect ratepayers, and improve utility services across Maine. He also helped lead regional efforts to strengthen New England's electric grid and share the costs of major energy investments with other states and preserved Maine's iconic '207' area code.

"During a period of extraordinary change, Phil Bartlett has remained laser-focused on ensuring Maine's utilities provide safe, reliable, and affordable service for Maine people," said Governor Janet Mills. "Phil has worked tirelessly to deliver greater value for the hard-earned money Maine ratepayers spend on electricity, gas, and water. I thank him for his dedicated service to Maine people."

"It has been an extraordinary honor to serve the people of Maine during this period of rapid change," said Phil Bartlett. "I thank Governor Mills for her confidence in me and the Commission's talented staff for their dedication to Maine ratepayers."

A former Maine Senate Majority Leader and Chair of the Legislature's Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, Bartlett was nominated to a six-year term by Governor Mills in 2019. He was reappointed in 2025.

Under Bartlett's leadership, the PUC has:

• Strengthened utility transparency and accountability. Under Bartlett, Maine incorporated elements of performance-based regulation for electric utilities and established metrics to ensure customers receive tangible benefits for rate increases.
• Advanced regional transmission planning. Bartlett helped develop the nation's first regional long-term transmission planning process, resulting in ISO New England's selection of a project including a new Maine substation capable of supporting at least 1,200 megawatts of onshore wind, substantially reducing Maine's share of the cost of developing generation in Northern Maine.
• Secured regional support for Northern Maine energy development. Bartlett led regional collaboration on a transmission line to Northern Maine and the selection of 800 megawatts of Maine onshore wind generation; Maine ratepayers will pay less than 11 percent of the transmission line's cost.
• Increased scrutiny of transmission spending. Bartlett helped lead the regional effort to establish ISO New England's new Asset Condition Reviewer, the first of its kind in the nation, to strengthen transparency and accountability for the region's largest category of new transmission spending.
• Supported small water utilities. The Commission reduced administrative burdens, provided outreach and training, and made it easier for utilities to share services.
• Facilitated broadband expansion. The Commission modernized pole attachment rules and developed a rapid response program to resolve disputes, becoming a national model that the Federal Communications Commission used for its own program.
• Preserved Maine's 207 area code. Facing projections that available numbers would run out in 2024, the Commission used innovative approaches to extend the area code's life indefinitely while also combating robocalling.
• Expanded assistance for low-income electricity customers. The Commission broadened eligibility for the statewide Low-Income Assistance Program and increased annual funding from $7.8 million to $33 million-more than quadrupling support. A more predictable and consistent bill discount model takes effect in October.

Bartlett will step down as Chair on October 9, 2026. Patrick Scully, the senior-most Commissioner on the PUC, will serve as Acting PUC Chair until a permanent replacement is nominated by the next Governor and confirmed by the Maine Senate. Commissioner Scully and Celina Cunningham, Acting Commissioner, Department of Energy Resources, will serve as Governor Mills appointed co-managers to the board of the New England States Committee on Electricity (NESCOE).