Howard County could be the first county in the state to buy electricity in bulk for residents resulting in lower utility bills.
“I want Howard County to have every tool at its disposal to soften the blow of these steep rate increases on citizens,” said Council Member Kenneth Ulman, D-District 4, who announced the plan to a group of seniors Thursday at the Bain Center in Columbia.
Howard County must petition the Maryland Public Service Commission for a declaration that county residents do not have enough competition from energy companies.
With an approval from the commission, which regulates public utilities, Howard County would be free to create a residential energy cooperative for two to three years.
Christine Nizer, the commission?s manager for external relations, said she could not predict how the commission would respond to a petition, but four energy suppliers are available to customers in the BGE service area.
However, the commission?s Web site, www.psc.state.md.us, listed only three electricity suppliers seeking customers: OHMS Energy Co. LLC in Baltimore; Pepco Energy Services Inc. in Arlington, Va., and Washington Gas Energy Services Inc. in Timonium.
A cooperative would boost purchasing power, saving residents between 15 percent and 20 percent on their bills, Ulman said.
The Columbia Association is working to form a cooperative to purchase electricity for residents, which may save about 8 percent, said Phil Marcus, Columbia Association board member.
“I expect it will be pretty large, pretty fast. We?re looking to bring in 10,000 meters within a few months,” he said.
Ulman is a candidate for county executive.
What?s next?
» Three meetings will be held in which the Howard County Council will address whether to petition the Maryland Public Service Commission for the right to pool residents? electricity bills.
» The bill will be introduced June 5, a public hearing will be held June 19 and the council will vote July 3.
» All meetings will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building on Court House Drive in Ellicott City.
