Voters throughout the state are concerned about the 72 percent jump in BGE electric rates, even those outside BGE?s service area who have also seen their rates raised by Pepco and other companies, according to a new Gonzales Research poll.
Gov. Robert Ehrlich?s approach has helped frame the problem and deflect blame in voters? minds. Two-thirds of voters say the General Assembly is responsible for the crisis “because it passed deregulation in 1999,” with nearly half saying the legislature was strongly responsible. Another two-thirds agree that Constellation Energy, BGE?s parent, is responsible, with 43 percent saying it is strongly so.
Less than half agree that Ehrlich is responsible, and only 12 percent say he is most culpable for the problem.
“Gov. Ehrlich, at this point, is winning the PR battle,” pollster Patrick Gonzales said.
The legislature?s failure to pass a compromise deal to reduce rates means it is now up to the governor to work out a rate reduction plan, probably one that will be less favorable to ratepayers.
“This was a problem that was created and owned by the Maryland legislature, and it?s not gone unnoticed,” said Ehrlich spokesman Shareese DeLeaver.
House Speaker Michael Busch agreed that all three parties ? the legislature, the company and the governor ? were being held responsible for fixing the problem.
