Posted on 02/11/25
| News Source: FOX45
Baltimore, MD - Feb. 11, 2025 - Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen and Councilman Issac 'Yitzy" Schleifer held a press conference on Monday with area business owners and residents that have been affected by Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) rate increases.
During that press conference, Cohen announced that the Baltimore City Council will have a hearing to address the rising costs of gas and electricity for the people of Baltimore.
According to the Baltimore Sun, a record-breaking 80,000 BGE customers had their power shut off in 2023 after falling behind on their energy bills. Officials say that BGE has tripled its gas delivery rates in the past decade, including on Jan. 1, 2025, when the company increased rates again.
Last week, officials announced the Ratepayer Protection Act (HB0419) which would require utility providers to prioritize finding and fixing gas leaks and controlling excessive pipeline spending to improve safety and lower costs.
BGE responded last week by saying:
BGE has duty to provide customers with safe and reliable utility service. State and federal policy directs utilities to not only maintain, but improve and upgrade aging natural gas infrastructure to enhance public safety and reduce environmental risks. BGE customers are served by the oldest natural gas pipeline system in the county, and it is in need of upgrading. Legacy natural gas pipeline infrastructure is more prone to leaks, posing safety and environmental risks. Replacing outmoded pipes with modern materials aligns with public policy and is the right thing to do for our customers and the environment.
There are many reasons for the increased cost of energy, most of which have nothing to do with BGE. Blaming the increased cost of energy on BGE’s required maintenance of the gas system is misleading and does not address the impact of increased usage nor market forces caused by insufficient in-state generation.
The chef & owner of Marta Fine Food and Spirits in Butchers Hill spoke about his experience with BGE as a restaurant owner during the press conference Monday.
"Last January, just about a year ago, my average BGE bill for Marta, which is a small restaurant, was about $2,500 -- a tough pill to swallow, but we were able to manage it. I opened my bill for January, this past month, and it had reached over $4,000... There is not a lot of restaurants or small businesses in general that can afford such an unplanned $1,500 or $2,000 monthly expense," he explained.
During the press conference Monday, Cohen requested that the Legislative Investigations Committee look into how the burden can be eased for ratepayers.
"Let me be clear," Cohen said Monday. "The city council will stand with the ratepayers of this region -- not the shareholders of the gas & electric company. We stand with our people over their profits."