LTE in response to "Maryland regulators slash Pepco rate increase request by more than half"

As a Baltimore resident watching BGE continuously squeeze working families, reading about the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) Pepco decision made my blood boil. Governor Wes Moore’s claim that cutting a rate increase in half is a "major win" is misleading and shows how completely disconnected our state leadership is from the reality on the ground.

In what world is paying more money to a monopoly utility a victory? BGE customers like me have seen our base distribution rates nearly double while our gas rates have tripled. Now, BGE is right behind Pepco, pushing for another $156 million rate hike.

This entire regulatory setup is a game utilities play: ask for an astronomical, indefensible amount, wait for regulators to trim it, and then let elected officials take a victory lap while residents pick up the tab. Trimming down an outrageous corporate cash grab to a medium cash grab isn't accountability - it’s negotiating the terms of our financial strain.

Everyday Baltimoreans are struggling with rent, food, and basic necessities. We don't need self-congratulatory press releases over rising utility bills. We need real, structural reform: a permanent ban on speculative multi-year rate plans, hard profit caps on utilities, and an administration that actually puts working people over corporate shareholders.

Until state leaders stop treating rate hikes as accomplishments, Maryland ratepayers will keep losing.

Shenae Thomas

Baltimore City, MD

Member of Progressive Maryland