Senate will hold BGE accountable

Friday, March 6, 2009

I saw firsthand how angry residents are about their bills, and how concerned they are about their ability to pay.

As families weather the economic storm, the last thing they deserve is a utility bill that doubles from one month to the next.

Following up with BGE, they are assigning customer service representatives to work with residents who attended the meeting. They are testing meters and contacting residents to discuss the results of the test.

BGE is scheduling a training for residents who want to learn to read their own meters, and the company is improving outreach to low-income ratepayers.

These are good steps — but they are not enough to satisfy our community.

That is why I directed two Senate committees to launch an investigation into the spike in utility rates.

They will hold hearings to question regulators and utility companies about the problem — and what is being done to solve it.

We must hold BGE accountable, now more than ever as families struggle in this economy.

The Senate will also consider proposals to re-regulate the utility industry.

As we review each proposal, we will ask three questions: Is this good for consumers? Will it stabilize rates in the short term? And will it save us money in the long term?

Any proposal that satisfies this criteria is worthy of consideration by the Maryland Senate.

Our top priority is to help Maryland families weather the economic storm, and holding BGE accountable to its ratepayers is one way to help families on the brink.

Sen. Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr.,

Chesapeake Beach