Baltimore to scrap controversial deal that let BGE profit from city utility system

Baltimore to end BGE agreement that drew criticism over utility profits

Baltimore plans to end a controversial deal that let BGE profit from upgrades to the city-owned conduit system and resume collecting rental fees.

buff.ly

Do Maryland utilities plan to voluntarily comply and save Marylanders $20 million? Nah. Instead they may make the state spend hundreds of thousands and dedicate limited staff time to implement the law. Sounds about right. marylandmatters.org/2026/07/11/m...

Maryland may have to go to court to fight for $20M in annual relief for electric customers - Maryland Matters

A new Maryland rule could save utility customers $20 million a year. But getting those savings will take more work: Three state agencies asked federal regulators to make utilities stop levying a surch...

marylandmatters.org

Baltimore County’s first test of public financing in elections gets mixed reviews

Baltimore County’s first test of public financing in elections gets mixed reviews

The June 23 primary marked the first test of public financing in Baltimore County. Six Democratic candidates qualified.

buff.ly

As part of the request BGE is also asking to increase its profit rate, which is already 56% higher than the market.

Baltimore Banner@thebaltimorebanner.com · last mo.

BGE wants to raise monthly electric bills by an average of $8

What’s BGE doing amidst the heat wave? Resuming termination notices and asking for a rate increase, of course! Baltimore Banner: BGE wants to raise monthly electric bills by an average of $8 www.thebanner.com/economy/bge-...

BGE wants to raise monthly electric bills by an average of $8

The private utility company filed a request with state regulators Thursday asking for the increase.

thebanner.com

BGE’s multi-billion dollar gas pipeline replacement program drives up our bills, doesn’t prioritize safety, and locks us into polluting fossil fuels. Last year, our lawmakers passed a bill to put an end to excessive gas pipeline replacement spending. But... (1/2)

“We expect the utilities to be willing partners with us in the swift adoption of both the spirit and letter of the law implementing the Utility RELIEF Act,” said Peña-Melnyk. thedailyrecord.com/2026/06/11/s...

Peña-Melnyk calls on utility companies to adhere to policies under Utility RELIEF Act

Maryland House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk called on utility companies to follow the Utility RELIEF Act regulations to protect ratepayers and reduce energy costs.

thedailyrecord.com

Got to talk to Jayne and Josh about energy policy in the Maryland legislative session and opportunities ahead!

Jayne Miller@jemillerbalt.bsky.social · 3mo ago

One thing Maryland legislators did in the 2026 session on energy - made it easier to install rooftop and plug-in solar. But still a long way to meet the state's clean energy goals. My latest podcast from Maryland Capital - Scoring the legislature's new energy bills. open.spotify.com/episode/42og...

💪💪💪 “The House has been very clear that we want to ban ratemaking based on forecasted test years because it is an important protection for ratepayers,” Peña-Melnyk said Friday. “Pepco just proved the point for us.” thedailyrecord.com/2026/04/24/p...

MD House speaker seeks ban on forecast-based energy rate hikes

House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk called for a permanent ban on forecast-based energy rate increases after Pepco stalled the practice.

thedailyrecord.com

Federal energy regulators voted yesterday to keep accounting rules in place that allow monopoly utilities to charge customers for trade association activities - rejecting calls from a diverse coalition to protect customers from these expenses. energyandpolicy.org/ferc-rejecti...

FERC rejects reform, leaves customers paying for utility trade associations

FERC kept rules letting utilities pass trade association political costs onto customers. Congress can step in to solve the issue.

energyandpolicy.org

“I wouldn’t say they’ve had a rough year,” Scarr said of Exelon. “The status quo serves them pretty well.”

Baltimore Banner@thebaltimorebanner.com · 4mo ago

Maryland Democrats turned Exelon into a punching bag. The real fight is just starting.

ICYMI- last night community members and advocates testified against Washington Gas’s proposed rate hike- if approved, rates for those who heat their homes with gas will increase by 19.2% and for those who do not heat their homes with gas rates would increase by 26%. youtu.be/sot0CfTygO4?...

04/07/2026 - Case 9849 WGL Rate Case Virtual Public Comment Hearing

YouTube video by Maryland PSC

youtu.be

“In a statement Monday evening, consumer group Maryland PIRG argued that the Senate version of the bill “guts consumer protections.” Emily Scarr, a senior adviser at Maryland PIRG, argued that the Senate’s changes to the bill “reward the utility companies that are driving our high bills.”

Home - Maryland Matters [Unofficial]@marylandmatters.org.web.brid.gy · 4mo ago

“Maryland deserves an energy system where affordability, accountability and the public interest come before corporate PR. Until our regulatory framework demands that alignment, Marylanders will be overpaying for power so that corporate shareholder profit targets are achieved.”

Maryland utility customers deserve real relief | GUEST COMMENTARY

Opinion: Maryland’s utility monopolies should serve families first — not just Wall Street investors, writes Michael Richard.

baltimoresun.com

Getting rid of that old paint can just got easier in Maryland

Getting rid of that old paint can just got easier in Maryland

Starting April 1, residents and business owners can drop off paint at solid waste facilities and retail or material reuse stores, or order direct pickup through the new PaintCare program.

buff.ly

These foster parents have taken in 15 kids. Their goal: Send them home.

These foster parents have taken in 15 kids. Their goal: Send them home.

The Baltimore couple is unusual in a state where half of families stop taking foster kids within the first year.

buff.ly

Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, the sponsor of the CUC revival bill, said: “I think there is a reason 46 other states have someone that is independent that represents just the consumers and doesn’t report to someone who has to be the judge in the case.”

Inside Climate News@insideclimatenews.org · 5mo ago

A bill that would restore Georgia’s consumer utilities counsel failed to move forward. That means Georgia will remain one of only a handful of states without a statutory advocate representing ratepayers.

join www.upgrademaryland.org for an update on the #Maryland legislative session Monday March 30 7pm: tinyurl.com/UpMDGA26

Packed room for hearing on the Break STRIDE Act - to end utility bill surcharges fueling wasteful gas utility spending. @emilyscarr.bsky.social on the proponents panel on behalf of Maryland PIRG

The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (DCPSC) approved a modified version of Washington Gas’ so-called District Strategic Accelerated Facility Enhancement (“District SAFE”) Plan to replace at-risk gas pipes.

Our 3-year investigation into shadowy undisclosed lobbying by the American Petroleum Institute and various MD utilities has broken, permanently, the seal on secret lobbying in Maryland. Thanks to @emilyscarr.bsky.social and PIRG for blazing a trail on this ! insideclimatenews.org/news/0203202...

Lobbyist Disclosure Failures Disadvantage Maryland Climate Advocates, According to Audit - Inside Climate News

The opaque system allows industry operatives to shape legislative decisions with little public oversight, a nonprofit research group has found.

insideclimatenews.org

Today Del. Embry presented her bill for increased transparency and oversight on underground transmission lines. Learn more: www.thebanner.com/economy/bge-...

What we learned from Exelon and BGE’s recent shareholder report. Increased spending is was leads to rate increases and higher profits. Not all spending is bad but customers keep paying more and getting less.

BGE profits reach another record high while failing on customer service, safety, affordability pirg.org/maryland/med...

BGE brought in a record breaking $578 million in profits in 2025, a $50 million increase over 2024. In Annapolis, legislators are considering a variety of bills to address BGE’s mismanagement, excessive spending and excessive profits. pirg.org/maryland/med...

High utility bills are driving states to soften rate hikes through demand flexibility and making it easier to build clean energy. We should move quickly on these good policies. But we also need more fundamental reform. New from me on long-term affordability ⬇️ www.utilitydive.com/news/quick-f...

Quick fixes won’t solve high energy bills

As grid spending increases, policymakers should look beyond residential customers to cover costs, writes Arjun Krishnaswami, a senior fellow at the Federation of American Scientists.

utilitydive.com

The House voted Friday to set new limits on the use of ratepayer dollars to pay salaries for employees of investor-owned utilities, which comes as legislative leaders aim to address high electric bills in the state and across the region. marylandmatters.org/2026/02/07/m...

House caps amount of utility employee salaries that can come out of ratepayers' pockets - Maryland Matters

The House voted Friday to set new limits on the use of ratepayer dollars to pay salaries for employees of investor-owned utilities, which comes as legislative leaders aim to address high electric bill...

marylandmatters.org

As utility bills and profits skyrocket, we applaud House leaders for pushing back on excessive utility charges and wasteful spending with HB1. The state is right to limit how much state-granted monopolies can charge their customers for executive salaries. pirg.org/maryland/med...

As energy bills continue to rise, many have heaped blame on PJM Interconnection, the operator of the region’s electrical grid. Would it make any sense for Maryland to leave it? A House bill calls for a study of that very question. marylandmatters.org/2026/02/04/m...

Could Maryland leave the PJM grid? This bill would study it. - Maryland Matters

As energy bills continue to rise, many have heaped blame on PJM Interconnection, the operator of the region’s electrical grid. Would it make any sense for Maryland to leave it? A House bill calls for ...

marylandmatters.org