Senators call on Md. utility companies to make energy prices more affordable

WASHINGTON (7News) — Maryland Democratic U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks are pressing Maryland utility companies to answer questions regarding rising energy costs in the state.

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In their letter Tuesday to Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE), Pepco, Delmarva Power (Pepco Holdings) and Columbia Gas, Van Hollen and Alsobrooks asked the senior executives to justify their increasing profits.

"We are writing to express our concern as we receive outreach from constituents from across the state facing soaring energy bills, due in part to increases in utility distribution rates," the Senators said.

According to the senators' letter, BGE, Columbia Gas, Pepco and Delmarva Power have implemented increases in distribution rates that outpace the rate of inflation since 2010.

The Senators requested their questions be responded to by April 16, 2025 and urged the utility companies to make affordability a top priority.

In considering any future plans to increase your distribution rates, we urge you to place affordability concerns at the forefront of your decision-making given the significant financial toll that skyrocketing utility bills have already placed on Marylanders across the state.

On the federal level, Van Hollen and Alsobrooks are working to ensure the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), implemented through the state as the Maryland Energy Assistance Program, is funded and available for constituents most in need.