Md. Seeks To Ease Pain Of Winter Heating Bills

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Maryland utility regulators say the high cost of heating homes and businesses during this long, cold winter may put more customers at risk of being shut off after March 31.

The Public Service Commission is asking utility companies at a legislative-style hearing Friday in Baltimore to explain their policies and procedures for terminating service to customers who haven't paid their bills on time.

The commission says it also wants to know the number of current and projected customers in arrears.

Maryland utilities are prohibited from disconnecting customers from November through March.

The commission says it's concerned that a broader-than-usual range of customers may be at risk for termination after that point.