Md. Commission Approves Rate Hike For Pepco

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Maryland Public Service Commission has approved an electricity rate hike for Pepco, but less than the utility requested.

The PSC said in a statement on Wednesday that Pepco, which serves Washington and Prince George's and Montgomery counties in Maryland, had asked to increase its electric distribution rates by $37.4 million.

The commission approved an increase of $8.75 million increase, saying it was enough to allow Pepco to improve its reliability.

The PSC says the rate hike, which takes effect on Friday, will raise a typical residential customer's monthly bill by $0.93, or less than 1 percent.