Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
August 12, 2025
Maryland's Rising Power Bills: Profits Over People
TLDR
- BG&E's guaranteed profits from infrastructure investments highlight a competitive edge for investors at the expense of Maryland residents facing rising power bills.
- A study reveals that while power generation costs have decreased, BG&E's transmission and delivery charges have doubled since 2010, significantly increasing electric bills.
- Rising power bills in Maryland, driven by BG&E's profit-focused strategies, underscore the need for investments that prioritize public interest over shareholder returns.
- Despite flat power generation costs, Marylanders' bills soar due to BG&E's monopolistic rate hikes, including a $130 million substation for a stalled development.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news sheds light on the systemic issues within Maryland's energy sector, where utility companies prioritize shareholder profits over affordable energy for residents. The increasing power bills place a significant financial burden on families, especially during extreme weather conditions, and call into question the fairness and transparency of utility rate-setting processes. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for consumers advocating for more equitable energy policies and for holding utilities accountable.
Summary
In the face of soaring power bills during Maryland's hot summer, the Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul Pinsky and BG&E Vice President Mark Case have pointed to the competitive energy market as the culprit. However, a study by the Electric Power Supply Association reveals that power generation costs have remained flat, accounting for less than half of the average electric bill, with transmission and delivery costs from BG&E being the real issue. BG&E's charges have doubled since 2010, far outpacing inflation, with the utility's parent company, Exelon, promising investors annual earnings growth of 5% to 7% through 2028. This profit-driven approach has led to questionable investments, such as a $130 million substation for a stalled development and a $17.5 million contract for a Ford F-150 truck, all billed to ratepayers. Despite BG&E's recent announcement of $15 million in temporary assistance, this pales in comparison to its $527 million profits in 2024, highlighting a system that prioritizes profits over people.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by citybiz. Read the original source here, Maryland's Rising Power Bills: Profits Over People
