Part 2: BGE’s multi-year rate hike will make the transition to efficient electric homes slower and more expensive.

We’re calling on the Maryland Public Service Commission to reject BGE’s plan in a three part series which starts with this intro.

We should be transitioning to clean energy

*** Update ***  On August 9th, the Maryland Public Service Commission granted a motion from the Office of the People’s Counsel to strike the “Proposed Customer Electrification Plan” of the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (“BGE”) from its pending multi-year rate case. ***

We have the technology to transition to homes powered by efficient electricity generated by 100% renewable resources. State and federal policies support the transition because it’s better for health and the planet.

Instead of helping Marylanders who want to switch to efficient electric home heating and appliances, BGE’s proposal would delay the transition to clean energy homes by locking customers into the gas system. Their so-called electrification program would mandate that gas customers who want to receive rebates to move to electric heat pumps maintain their gas lines which is unnecessary and expensive. It will lock in families to new fossil fuel technology that has a significant life span. It would be faster to instead transition directly to all-electric heat pumps that work in cold weather.

Adding insult to injury

In addition to keeping customers paying both gas and electric bills, BGE would make an excessive $121 million profit off of $279 million in spending on their so-called electrification program. [1]

Ultimately, BGE’s proposal will make the transition to efficient electric homes slower and more expensive.

The Public Service Commission is accepting public comment on the rest of the rate case through the end of September and holding public hearings before making a decision at the end of the year.

[1] Administrator Paul Pinsky, testimony on behalf of the Maryland Energy Administration to the Public Service Commission, June 20th, 2023, page 4.