BALTIMORE – The Maryland Public Service Commission heard public comments on BGE’s proposed $156 million electric rate increase on Oct. 26, 2026, and the three people who spoke urged regulators to reject it. The virtual hearing was the first of three scheduled evening sessions for public input with the most recent one held Nov. 4.
BGE is seeking a $156 million electric rate increase based on a 10.4 percent return on equity, according to a Carroll County government notice. The Public Service Commission suspended the proposed rates, and current rates remain frozen until a decision, which is expected in January 2027. Written comments are due Dec. 23 and should reference Case No. 9888.
What Council President Cohen Told Regulators
Zeke Cohen, president of the Baltimore City Council, told commissioners that many city residents are struggling to afford their BGE bills. He said that by June 2026, residential customers owed $24 million in overdue bills. Cohen also said BGE received $86 million in electric distribution increases for 2025 and 2026 and is now seeking $156 million for the same period. He said the commission ended the multi-year rate plan pilot earlier this month.
Cohen said BGE has proposed a $9 monthly conduit charge for Baltimore City customers only. He asked the commission to reject the $156 million request and to lower the return on equity from 9.5 percent to 7.3 percent, as the Office of People’s Counsel recommended. He said that office recommended a $44 million decrease. “The people of Baltimore have paid enough for this failed experiment,” Cohen said.
What Residents Said
Shonna Watkins, a Baltimore resident, small business owner and beauty service provider, also spoke against the increase. She said the Office of People’s Counsel recommended a $43.9 million decrease and that $80.5 million in conduit-related costs should be excluded from the case. Watkins said she has heard of monthly bills of $600, $800 and more than $1,000. “That’s not relief. That’s a band-aid on a much bigger problem,” Watkins said.
A Baltimore County groundskeeper also testified against the request. He estimated it could add about $8 a month to customers’ bills.
Commissioner Linton opened the hearing and asked speakers to limit comments to five minutes. After the third speaker, the commission’s executive secretary told the chair that no one else logged in was on the speaker list, and the hearing ended.
What’s Next
The commission is still accepting public comment on BGE’s rate case, Case No. 9888. The public comment hearing was Nov. 4, and written comments are due Dec. 23. A decision is expected in January 2027. The speakers’ figures are their own statements and are not findings by the commission.
