An effort by Montgomery County lawmakers to prevent Pepco from butchering the suburb’s trees could end up hurting electric service or costing customers across Maryland, the head of the state’s utility regulator is warning. Legislation before the County Council would require utilities to obtain written consent from property owners or occupants before trimming back trees on private property, to submit a “vegetation management” plan — including aspects not required by the state — to the county and to abide by specific tree-trimming standards.

The legislation “restores the correct balance” between protecting private property and allowing utilities to do what is necessary to provide quality service, said sponsor and Council President Roger Berliner, D-Bethesda. “I don’t believe anybody should be able to go onto private property and do what they think is necessary to do without the homeowner’s consent.”