Charges of “genocide” and “civic terrorism” marked the first round of hearings before the Public Service Commission on the BGE rate hike plan, as angry consumers confronted the Public Service Commission board and BGE officials.

“This is nothing short of civic and social terrorism. You are all doing us a disservice,” said Kelly Bigelow, of Baltimore. “How much money do you have to make while mothers can?t feed their children.” Bigelow was only one of several consumers who took turns blasting the assembled public officials after the presentation from BGE spokesman Ron Case on the proposed BGE rate hike.