In an effort to keep homeowners? power on and bills down, Baltimore County and energy officials gathered Tuesday to educate each other on financial assistance programs for residents struggling with soaring utility rates.
The “energy summit” brought advocates for the poor and homeless, church leaders and social workers together to identify cost-saving programs for their clients. About 11,000 Baltimore County homeowners applied for a state energy assistance grant last year, said Richard Doran, executive director of the Community Assistance Network, a nonprofit service provider for low-income residents.
His group helped 2,500, and more are applying this year, he said, and faster.
“We know there are thousands out there who have never asked for assistance before, and we?re worried they won?t know where to go,” Doran said.
But the service providers who attended the summit are largely familiar with available programs, making the meeting a bit of “preaching to the choir,” he said.
The event did give Baltimore Gas & Electric officials a chance to defend themselves against price rises and explain the intricacies of a timetable state lawmakers established for increases.
“Right now, our customers are not happy with us, and we have an image restoration campaign to build our image back up,” said Johnny Magwood, BGE?s vice president of customer relations.
County Executive Jim Smith called for a summit after newspaper headlines on the increases caused a public outcry, officials said.
“We haven?t really heard of anything related to the rate increase but maybe cost of living increases,” said Nick D?Alesandro, community liaison to the county?s department of social services. “We have a steady of flow of people coming in, evictions, BGE turn-offs, utility turn-offs.”
