BGE recently reached out to the City to share information around rate increases residents are expected to experience starting June 1 – For the average combined gas & electric customer, they estimated the increase would be around a $39/mo difference.

Based on their information, these latest increases are not actually held onto by BGE, but are a direct ‘passing on’ of increased Supply Rates (based on market rate auctions held earlier this year) and an increased Transmission Reliability fee (based on a legal agreement keeping two older plants open while new ones are built out).

As a general note, I’ve been tracking Maryland’s energy situation with increased focus since last year, and to be honest, it’s not rosy. It was a very hotly contested issue during the Maryland Legislative Session earlier this year, and Maryland is facing the combined pressures of: (a) an increased demand due to expanding electrification, and (b) decreasing supply due to retirement of older energy producing facilities. As a result, we’re having to ‘import’ more of our energy (read: >50%) and the price of that energy is also steadily rising. While various ideas and solutions are being floated (including new nuclear), there’s no quick answers in sight since things that big take time to shift. This may be an issue you’d also want to track as a Maryland resident in order to provide feedback to our state legislators.

In the meantime, a few tips:

  1. One of the Maryland laws passed this year was to provide an $80 utility refund, broken down into two $40 pieces, one in the summer and one in the winter. So be on the look out for that.

  2. BGE also points out its: (a) “budget billing” option (to smooth utility bills over course of a year to avoid shock of one month), (b) “payment arrangement” option to setup a payment plan, and (c) “due date extension” option to give yourself a little more time.

  3. Additionally, there are state programs, the Fuel Fund of Maryland, and other assistance programs that you could qualify for – Visiting their Assistance Finder may help you locate a benefit that may work for you.

UPDATE 13 Jun 2025: Exelon (the parent company of BGE & Pepco) will distribute $19 million to help its low- and middle-income customers in Maryland pay their bills. Applications for the relief can be made starting July 1 via BGE’s Customer Relief Fund page and additional info can be found via this related Maryland Matters' article.