The Maryland Public Service Commission (MPSC) announced on Monday that it has put a hold on a proposed rate increase by Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) that could raise customer bills by an average of $100 annually, or about $8 per month.
In a statement, MPSC Chair Kumar Barve emphasized the commission's commitment to ensuring that any decision regarding BGE's request is fair and maintains the affordability of essential electric services for consumers.
BGE submitted the rate increase request last week, citing a focus on immediate risks to its electric system as part of a broader strategy to reduce investments. Tamla Olivier, BGE's president and CEO, highlighted the significant financial pressure customers are currently facing due to rising costs across various sectors.
“Nothing matters more to our customers right now than affordability,” Olivier stated, noting that the company had delayed the filing to reassess its plans and limit the impact on customers.
The utility's filing aims to ensure the maintenance of the electric system's reliability, including substations, while also introducing a new customer assistance program. However, BGE acknowledged that delaying maintenance could lead to more outages and increased costs in the long run.
As part of the proposed changes, BGE plans to implement a FlexPay program that allows eligible customers to prepay for their expected energy consumption.
The MPSC will now work with involved parties to establish a procedural timeline for the rate case, which will include public comment hearings within BGE's service area and evidentiary hearings in Baltimore. Stakeholders representing BGE customers, such as the Office of the People's Counsel, will participate in these proceedings.
A decision regarding the proposed rate hike is anticipated by January 2027.
Reported by HarborBeat based on WMAR-2 News (source).
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