Overview
- The Baltimore City Council convened a hearing on soaring BGE bills, but the utility’s top leadership declined to attend in person.
- Spokesman Nick Alexopulos called the session “political theater” and argued the format excluded other forces that shape energy prices.
- Residents described sharply higher winter charges, while BGE pointed to infrastructure work and colder weather increasing energy use.
- The Maryland Public Service Commission granted a partial reconciliation increase after labeling BGE’s request of more than $150 million “egregiously excessive,” following multiple rate hikes in January and February and another at the start of March.
- State leaders, including Gov. Wes Moore and Senate President Bill Ferguson, announced legislation to strengthen oversight of utility costs as city leaders move to support HB1532 to end forecasted test years in rate-setting.