BGE Proposes 17% Electric Rate Hike in Maryland, Sparking Consumer Concerns
Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) has proposed an increase of approximately 17% to its electric distribution rates. This request, if approved, would lead to BGE's electric distribution rates being 58% higher than they were in 2020 and 129% higher since Exelon Corp. acquired BGE in 2012. The Maryland Office of People’s Counsel (OPC), an independent state agency representing residential utility customers, has published a consumer guide detailing the proposed hike. BGE is seeking to collect an additional $156.1 million from customers, which would raise the residential electric distribution rate from 4.9 cents per kilowatt-hour to 5.8 cents, and increase the flat monthly customer charge from $10 to $11. For an average household using 900 kilowatt-hours a month, the OPC estimates this would result in an increase of about $8.58 per month, or roughly $103 annually. BGE, however, assumes lower average usage and estimates a smaller impact. The proposed increase specifically targets the distribution portion of the bi... 
