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.
“I haven?t heard [them] say anything about working families,” said Angela Bethea-Spearman, a state worker. “Gas and electric is going to be cut off and there are going to be fires. This is not the will of the people.” State Del. Katherine Pugh joined the dissenters, asking the commission directly their opinion of the plan.
“Do you feel this is in the best interest of the people?” Pugh asked.
The dramatic testimony followed an hourlong presentation by BGE spokesman Ron Case, who gave specifics of the “rate deferral” plan to the commission. In his testimony, Case warned that lack of quick action on the plan could jeopardize the financial health of BGE, and urged the PSC to approve the plan quickly.
“We are already on a negative credit watch,” Case said. “We would like to have this approved by May 1.”
While the details of the deferral plan remain a 19 percent increase in July followed by a 25 percent increase the following year, Case noted that by next June the phased-in rate increase could change subject to market conditions.
“It could be higher or could be lower, depending on the market,” Case said.
Case said that he believed “market rate” energy in Maryland will foster competition, giving consumers more choices, and possibly better prices.
“Market rates will encourage competition,” Case said. But to Bigelow, the arguments about free markets and deregulation didn?t matter.
