The Baltimore City Council on Monday passed a resolution opposing rate hikes for Baltimore gas and electricity. City Councilman Zeke Cohen, D-District 1, introduced the resolution and asked the Maryland Public Service Commission to reject the utility’s multi-year rate plan. “It’s important to note that the regulatory body that oversees BGE is the Public Service Commission. That’s why this proposal goes directly to them, but I believe there is strong support among my colleagues that we will hold BGE accountable for their actions,” Cohen said. % and increase electricity distribution by 31%. He argues that the proposal is unnecessary and costly to ratepayers, and that BGE has not been a good partner for city residents. He also said the plan would be harmful from an environmental perspective. is not.’ “We’re holding the line. The council will vote on this proposal tonight,” Cohen said. “We hope the Public Service Commission will take a hard look at this plan and hold BGE accountable.” It will increase by 5.% per year. Monthly bills will increase by $10.36 every three years in dollar terms. In a statement to Cohen, BGE called the “misstatements” “factual errors.” The infrastructure investments included in are critical to achieving Maryland’s decarbonization goals… BGE’s multiyear plan, if fully approved, would average 5% annually. Increases in combined residential bills for electric and gas customers every three years.” Most of BGE’s rate increases are to offset gas infrastructure costs, which include installing gas controls. To repair rather than replace gas infrastructure, the PSC, the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and Maryland Total Assembly vetoes legislation. RELATED: Residents push back against BGE’s new foreign gas systems BGE statement says Maryland needs gas infrastructure overhaul, in part: “A safe and reliable gas supply system requires BGE’s work to improve aging and that responsibility.” The gas infrastructure it’s trying to meet is a must.” | Links: BGE’s Multi-Year Infrastructure Investment Plan (2024-26) Cohen said constituents have brought complaints to his office about BGE’s work and the work of contractors. Residents should have a greater voice in where BGE places gas controls. He said he wants to have them. On July 7, a judge extended a temporary restraining order barring BGE from disconnecting and/or installing monitors in Federal Hill, where homeowners fought and protested. The order was extended for another 60 days, meaning the utility cannot cut off customer service or install outside controls and meters during that time. The PSC has scheduled a hearing for August 15, according to a statement.There have been many complaints from BGE customers about moving gas service inspectors from indoors to outdoors. Video below: City Council holds public hearing on BGE gas regulators
The Baltimore City Council on Monday passed a resolution opposing rate hikes for Baltimore gas and electricity.
City Councilman Zeke Cohen, D-District 1, introduced the resolution and asked the Maryland Public Service Commission to reject the utility’s multi-year rate plan.
“It is worth noting that the regulatory body that controls BGE is the Public Service Commission. That is why this decision goes directly to them, but I believe that there is strong support among my colleagues to hold BGE accountable for their actions,” Cohen. he said.
According to Cohen, the plan will increase gas distribution by 61% and electricity distribution by 31% within three years. The resolution argues that the plan is unnecessary and costly to ratepayers and that BGE has not been a good partner to city residents. He also said that the plan would be harmful in terms of environmental protection.
“We’re going to say to the PSC, ‘Now is not the time for Baltimore residents to support an expensive construction of Baltimore Gas and Electric.’ “We hope the Public Service Commission will take a hard look at this plan and hold BGE accountable.”
The utility is taking issue with the councillor’s bill, saying the plan before the PSC will increase by 5% every year. In dollar terms, monthly bills increase by $10.36 every three years.
In a statement to Cohen, BGE called his words “misrepresentations” that were “factually incorrect.” BGE’s statement reads in part: “Infrastructure investments included in BGE’s proposed 2024-2026 multiyear plan are critical to achieving Maryland’s decarbonization goals…BGE’s multiyear plan, if fully approved, would average a 5% annualized cost reduction every three years for combined electric and gas customers.” Adding accounts.
Most of BGE’s price increases are to offset the costs of gas infrastructure, including the installation of gas controls.
BGE said: “Councilman Cohen’s proposal that BGE identify where to repair rather than replace gas infrastructure is contrary to legislation passed by the PSC, the US Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and the Maryland General Assembly.”
| RelatedResidents oppose BGE’s new outdoor gas systems
BGE’s statement stated that Maryland needs gas infrastructure improvements, in part: “BGE needs to maintain a safe and reliable gas delivery system. We are working to improve our aging and outdated gas infrastructure to fulfill this responsibility.”
| LINKBGE’s Multi-Year Infrastructure Investment Plan (2024-26)
Cohen said parties have submitted complaints to his office about BGE’s work and the work of contractors. BGE says it wants residents to have more of a say in where it places gas controls.
A judge on July 7 extended a temporary restraining order barring BGE from cutting and/or installing monitors, as homeowners fought back and protested. The order was extended for an additional 60 days, meaning the utility cannot disconnect customer service or install outdoor controls and meters during that time.
The PSC has scheduled a hearing for August 15, according to a statement, citing numerous complaints from BGE customers regarding the relocation of gas service inspectors from indoors to outdoors.
| The video belowThe city council held a public hearing on BGE gas regulators
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