Maryland's Chilly Surprise: Higher Energy Bills on the Horizon
The Deep Freeze's Impact
Maryland is bracing for a rough weather patch, and it's not just about the snow and cold. The deep freeze is driving up energy usage, leading to bigger energy bills. The gas system is already under high demand, and this trend is expected to continue.
Community Concerns
- Rob Groves, a pastor in Reisterstown, saw his church's energy bill skyrocket to $1,400 last month. He's worried about what's next.
- Norma Schlein, a 72-year-old widow from Baltimore, is stressed about her fixed income and might have to come out of retirement to cover her bills.
The Cost Breakdown
- Electricity: Every extra 500 kilowatt-hours used adds about $100 to the bill.
- Gas: Every 5 therms used adds around $80.
The main driver behind these increases is the cost of supplying the energy.
Record Energy Demand
The regional grid operator, PJM, predicts that energy demand could hit a new high. They expect peak demand to exceed 130,000 megawatts for seven straight days—a record they've never seen before.
Additional Charges
The Maryland Public Service Commission approved a plan letting BGE recover about $77 million in spending. This means residents will see an extra charge on their bills starting in February 2026:
- Average electric customer: 72 cents more each month.
- Average gas customer: $1.95 more.
Community Struggles
Pastor Groves has been hearing from community members who are struggling. Some are choosing between:
- Paying their mortgage
- Feeding their kids
- Keeping the lights on
It's a tough situation, and he wishes there was more the church could do to help.
Ongoing Issues
This isn't a new problem. For the past year, residents have been complaining about rising energy bills. The main reason is the supply costs, which are set through a PJM process. There's also been criticism about utility rate increases and BGE's spending on infrastructure. While BGE says these projects are necessary, others argue that the utility is overspending.
