BGE customers fed up with high utility bills as Baltimore leaders discuss options
The Baltimore City Council discussed skyrocketing gas bills during a hearing Thursday evening. It came as many residents continue to raise concerns about unaffordable Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) bills.
During the hearing, the Committee of the Whole reviewed BGE's pipeline inspection procedures and other operations that could be increasing costs for residents.
Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen also testified in support of Maryland House Bill 1532, an amendment that would end the use of forecasted test years. The process allows utilities to raise their rates based on projected spending before the cost is incurred.
Why are electric and gas rates increasing?
In January, a spokesperson for BGE said the increases were due to work being done on the company's system to "keep it safe and up-to-date for our 1.3 million electric and 700,000 gas customers."
So far this year, BGE's distribution rates have increased twice, and the electric supply rate increased on March 1.
BGE notes that the electric supply rate is out of the company's control and is paid to power plant owners.
In January, BGE's average electric bill increased by $1.07 a month, and the average gas bill increased by $2.65 per month.
Rates increased again in February due to a Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC)-approved reconciliation increase that resulted in a 3.5-cent increase in gas rates and a .1-cent increase in electric rates.
The PSC approved a partial increase, calling BGE's initial request for more than $150 million "egregiously excessive."
BGE also said the rates have been impacted by some of the coldest winter months in recent history. The average customer used 13% more gas in December, compared to 2024, 8% more gas in February 2026, compared to 2025, and 10% more electricity this February compared to last February.
Rally against rising energy costs
Protesters gathered and chanted for calls of change over how Baltimore uses energy.
"We demand a transition to a publicly owned utility," said one protester. "A democratic system where we have local people. Where energy is treated as a right, when no Baltimorean should have to choose between heat and a home. We're not just fighting for lower bills; we're fighting for our power to own our own future."
Council member Mark Conway joined the group in calling for public power in the city, listing off other states that have already shown success in lowering rates.
"We need a public power authority," Conway said. "We need people to assure that power will be affordable, renewable, reliable, and it's only accountable to the people."
One woman who spoke during the hearing said her utility bill has increased to a point where she must take out a loan and is considering another, just to be able to afford keeping her lights on.
"Since my last bill, it has increased from $104/month to $500/month," she said. "Earlier this year, I had to personally take a loan to pay off my utility bill, which went over 2k. Now I have to consider taking another loan to pay a bill of my bill that is now 1080 dollars, meaning I am now in debt of almost $3,000."
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