OPC in the News

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 Title Description
Public interest group questions Maryland utilities’ transparency in lobbying (3/25/2024, Baltimore Sun)Open 
Experiencing a higher utility bill? Here are strategies to save (3/5/2024, DC News Now)Open 
Md. high court rules SmartEnergy deceived consumers, affirms refund order (2/26/2024, Daily Record)Open 
Despite a Big Budget Shortfall, Moore Commits $90 Million to Help Maryland Cut Emissions (2/24/2024, Inside Climate News)Open 
Personal net zero? Gas utilities pitch offset plans. (2/15/2024, E&E News by Politico)Open 
Proposed power grid upgrades driven by Va. data centers could cost Marylanders $500M (2/13/2024, Frederick News-Post)Open 
Maryland ratepayer advocate urges FERC to reject PJM’s $5.1B transmission cost allocation plan (2/13/2024, Utility Drive) Open 
Clean power advocates eye grid operator’s planning reforms warily (2/5/2024, Maryland Matters)Open 
Dan Rodricks: What’s with the negative current running through our electric future? | STAFF COMMENTARY (1/19/2024, Baltimore Sun)Open 
Baltimore County being asked to mandate new electric homes (1/18/2024, WYPR 88.1 FM)Open 
Dan Rodricks: Say goodbye to gas, the future is electric | STAFF COMMENTARY (1/11/2024, Baltimore Sun)Open 
Electricity and gas supplier SFE Energy must repay customers $400K under settlement (1/11/2024, Baltimore Sun)Open 
Md. Emission-reduction Plan: High Ambitions, No Funding (1/9/2024, RTO Insider)Open 
PSC criticized for approving BGE rate hikes and “aggressive spending” on fossil fuel infrastructure (12/16/2023, Baltimore Brew)Open 
Maryland BGE customers will see increased utility rates (12/15/2023, Baltimore Banner)Open 
BGE delivery rates will increase by $14.51 for many consumers next month– that is a lower rate than the company had hoped (12/14/2023, WYPR 88.1 FM)Open 
BGE gas and electric delivery rates to rise more than 3% each of the next three years (12/15/2023, Baltimore Sun)Open 
PJM Board Approves $5 Billion Transmission Expansion (12/13/2023, RTO Insider)Open 
Interview with OPC's Director of Consumer Assistance Brandi Nieland with money-saving energy tips on "Living in Baltimore" radio show with host and Greater Baltimore Community Housing Resource Board executive director William Kladky. (12/12/2023, Heaven-600)Open 
As rate decision looms, a new warning about BGE gas plan | STAFF COMMENTARY (12/12/2023, Baltimore Sun)Open 
PJM board approves $5B in transmission projects to be built by Dominion, FirstEnergy, others (12/12/2023, Utility Drive)Open 
Centers of controversy: Is there enough energy for Md. to meet its tech ambitions? (12/11/2023, Maryland Matters)Open 
Interview with People's Counsel David S. Lapp: Tips on saving on your utility bill this winter (12/4/2023, MPT's Direct Connection)Open 
Get ready for a high-stakes legislative debate over retail energy deregulation (12/1/2023, Maryland Matters)Open 
A once-confidential memo helps explain BGE’s conduit deal. Here’s what it says. (11/30/2023, Baltimore Banner)Open 
BGE internal memo details conduit deal with Baltimore City (11/30/2023, WBAL-TV Channel 11)Open 
Memo detailing Baltimore-BGE conduit deal should not be kept from the public, regulators order (11/28/2023, Baltimore Sun)Open 
BGE’s conduit financing memo should be made public, the PSC says (11/28/2023, Baltimore Brew)Open 
BGE accounting memo about conduit deal should be public rules Public Service Commission (11/28/2023, WYPR 88.1 FM)Open 
Regulators say BGE memo detailing conduit financing should be public (11/27/2023, Baltimore Banner)Open 
Grid battle brews as Maryland shifts away from coal (11/20/2023, E&E News)Open 
BGE keeps memo about conduit deal finances shielded from public (Audio interview and article) (11/15/2023, WYPR 88.1 FM)Open 
BGE seeks to keep document regarding potential company profits from conduit agreement confidential (11/14/2023, Baltimore Sun)Open 
BGE asks to shield memo explaining how it aims to finance controversial Baltimore conduit deal (11/11/2023, Baltimore Banner)Open 
Interview with People's Counsel David S. Lapp on the Jayne Miller show. Scroll to bottom of page; click on "Future of Natural Gas and Redline Construction" (11/11/2023, WBAL Newsradio 1090)Open 
Interview with People's Counsel David S. Lapp on the C4 and Bryan Nehman show. Scroll to bottom of page; click on "November 9th, 2023" (11/9/2023, WBAL Newsradio 1090)Open 
BGE’s path toward massive gas equipment spending would cost consumers, contradict climate goals, People’s Counsel report says (11/8/2023, Baltimore Sun)Open 
PJM Recommends $5B in RTEP Transmission Projects (11/6/2023, RTO Insider)Open 
Reader Letter to the Editor: BGE is dead wrong about natural gas (11/3/2023, Baltimore Sun)Open 
Role of State Consumer Advocates: A roundtable discussion led by Public Utilities Fortnightly's Steve Mitnick, with People's Counsel David Lapp and eight other consumer advocates from across the country (November 2023, Fortnightly Magazine)Open 
Chasing Goals, Facing Obstacles at Md. Clean Energy Summit (10/26/2023, NetZero Insider)Open 
Potomac Edison faces Maryland audit after admitting it charged customers for FirstEnergy’s bribes and lobbying (10/26/2023, Energy and Policy Institute)Open 
EBA Forum Examines the Details of the Grid’s Transition (10/12/2023, RTO Insider)Open 
Maryland officials press FERC to reject PJM directive to Exelon for $785M in transmission upgrades (9/21/2023, Utility Drive)Open 
Maryland utilities lobbying against adoption of local electrification policies (9/18/2023, Energy and Policy Institute)Open 
People's Counsel Sees Recently Opened Retail Market Proceeding At PSC As Potentially "Most Comprehensive Re-evaluation" Of Retail Choice Since 1999 (9/12/2023, Energy Choice Matters)Open 
Organizations push back against BGE's proposed hike rate (9/7/2023, WMAR-TV, Channel 2)Open 
Columbia Gas is ‘moving the goalposts,’ Maryland People’s Counsel says (9/7/2023, Herald-Mail Media)Open 
State board says BGE cannot require gas regulators outside homes (9/5/2023, Baltimore Banner)Open 
Everything you need to know about the fight over external gas regulators (9/5/2023, Baltimore Banner)Open 
People’s Counsel warns of high costs per household for BGE gas equipment replacements (9/1/2023, Baltimore Sun)Open 
Controversial Baltimore-BGE conduit deal could cost customers $860 million, watchdog finds (8/31/2023, Baltimore Banner)Open 
Office of People’s Counsel Asks State to Reject Washington Gas’s Requests (8/31/2023, Montgomery Community Media)Open 
Maryland Supreme Court will hear OPC’s appeal of $8 million rate increase (8/18/2023, The Afro)Open 
Podcast interview with David Lapp on Maryland gas utilities (8/18/2023, I Hate Politics podcast, Begins at 15:40)Open 
BGE’s exterior gas regulators pose danger, ruin facades, residents tell PSC (8/15/2023, Baltimore Sun)Open 
PJM PC/TEAC Briefs: FirstEnergy Presents Data Center Interconnection Projects (8/14/2023, RTO Insider)Open 
Public Service Commission orders BGE to remove ‘electrification’ plan from rate increase proposal (8/10/2023, Baltimore Sun)Open 
Only one testifies at first virtual public hearing on BGE rate case (8/10/2023, WYPR News)Open 
Baltimore City Council to introduce bill that would ban outdoor gas regulators in response to BGE installations (8/4/2023, Baltimore Sun)Open 
NJ Plans for Transition Away from Natural Gas: Conference Highlights The Challenges, Pitfalls of Shifting Buildings to Clean Energy (8/3/2023, RTO Insider)Open 
BGE Rate Hike Plan: Public Hearings Scheduled Amid Rising Consumer Concerns (7/25/2023, Perry Hall Patch)Open 
People's Counsel David S. Lapp participates in the Consumer Cost Panel: New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Technical Conference, Trenton, NJ (8/2/2023, Panel begins at 3:44 mark)Open 
US gas system investments: Stranded assets or stranded customers? (7/18/2023, Context, Thomson Reuters Foundation)Open 
Cohen, Baltimore City Council ask state regulators to reject BGE rate increase (7/17/2023, Baltimore Banner)Open 
Commissioners delay AES Warrior Run tax credit decision (7/16/2023, Cumberland Times-News)Open 
How Does Your State Rate? A Report Card on Transmission Development Around the Country: Committee on Electricity slide deck from David Lapp: Maryland Transmission & Capacity Market Issues (7/17/2023, NARUC Summer Policy Summit)Open 
Consumers face excessive long-term costs for gas regulator installations, People’s Counsel says (7/12/2023, Baltimore Sun)Open 
City Council committee grills BGE on controversial external regulators (7/12/2023, Baltimore Banner)Open 
Is a deal in Western Md. to help utility customers and accelerate the shutdown of a coal plant too good to be true? (7/10/2023, Maryland Matters)Open 
Yes, those BGE gas meters are ugly, but there’s other reasons to be skeptical. BGE’s current spending on gas infrastructure threatens Maryland’s climate goals and may lead to massive rate increases [OP-ED] (7/3/2023, Baltimore Brew)Open 
Dan Rodricks: Maryland people, meet the Maryland People’s Counsel. He’s on our side. | COMMENTARY (7/2/2023, Baltimore Sun)Open 
How old coal plants could help fuel a renewable boom (6/30/2023, E&E News)Open 
Federal Hill residents physically block BGE workers from shutting off gas service in Thursday standoff (6/22/2023, Baltimore Fishbowl)Open 
People’s Counsel: Baltimore Gas & Electric’s ‘explosive’ proposed multiyear rate hike dodges accountability (6/20/2023, Baltimore Sun)Open 
Baltimore communities accuse BGE of 'unlawfully threatening to terminate gas service' (6/16/2023, WMAR-TV, Channel 2)Open 
BGE says gas regulators are safer outside homes. Federal regulations aren’t so clear. (6/12/2023, Baltimore Banner)Open 
Concerns raised about AES contract buyout (6/2/2023, Cumberland Times-News)Open 
National financial agency downgrades assessment of Md.’s utility regulation. What does it mean? (6/1/2023, Maryland Matters)Open 
BGE still has Baltimore residents fuming over gas regulators (5/24/2023, Baltimore Fishbowl)Open 
BGE’s gas regulator installations cause uproar in Baltimore’s historic urban neighborhoods (5/23/2023, Baltimore Sun)Open 
Reader Letter to the Editor: Pointing the way toward greener energy in Maryland (5/11/2023, Baltimore Sun)Open 
Utilities in Maryland should attract more low-income residents to energy savings programs, report says (5/8/2023, Baltimore Sun)Open 
Federal Guidelines Necessary to Protect Consumers from Greenwashing, People’s Counsel Tells Federal Trade Commission (4/26/2023, WCBC AM 1270)Open 
OPC mentioned in article: Xcel pushing measure that has raised gas bills in Minnesota, scrapped in other states (4/18/2023, Energy and Policy Institute)Open 
Consumer agency seeks faster action, more certainty from Md. utility regulator (4/18/2023, Maryland Matters)Open 
Complaints on the rise alleging deceptive practices by third-party gas and electric suppliers in Maryland (4/16/2023, Baltimore Sun)Open 
Maryland Pepco Customers To See Slight Bill Increase Next Month (3/27/2023, DCist)OpenMarch 2023
First in the nation bill seeks to shed light on utility deliberations and ‘shadow government’ (3/24/2023, Maryland Matters)OpenMarch 2023
Marylanders Overpaid $1 Billion in Excessive Utility Bills. Some Lawmakers and Advocates Are Demanding Answers (3/20/2023, Inside Climate News)OpenMarch 2023
Maryland Bill Would Require Utilities to Report Votes at PJM (3/20/2023, RTO Insider)OpenMarch 2023
MPT's Jeff Salkin interviews People's Counsel David S. Lapp; interview begins at 10:39 mark (3/17/2023, State Circle on MPT)OpenMarch 2023
Bill envisions extra scrutiny of powerful Public Service Commission, which is already slated for a facelift (3/10/2023, Maryland Matters)OpenMarch 2023
Subscription-only: Maryland offshore wind push gains momentum with federal help. Here's what lawmakers plan (3/8/2023, Salisbury Daily Times / Delmarva Now)OpenMarch 2023
PSC Staff Issues 8-9 Cease & Desist Letters To Retail Suppliers (3/8/2023, Energy Choice Matters)OpenMarch 2023
Wes Moore’s nominee for Maryland’s utility regulator withdraws amid concern about his ties to the gas industry (2/28/2023, Baltimore Sun)OpenFebruary 2023
SmartEnergy Ordered To Pay Millions In Refunds For Overcharging Telephone-Enrolled Customers (2/27/2023, Havre de Grace Patch)OpenFebruary 2023
Maryland governor taps gas industry official to help regulate gas industry (2/27/2023, Washington Post)OpenFebruary 2023
Reader Letter to the Editor: As BGE invests in gas, Sun readers question the wisdom (2/25/2023, Baltimore Sun)OpenFebruary 2023
BGE’s proposed rate increase would be difficult burden for many, say customers, officials and advocates (2/24/2023, Baltimore Sun)OpenFebruary 2023
Commissioner To Retail Suppliers: "Clean Up Your Act, Or Things Will Change Dramatically" (2/22/2023, Energy Choice Matters)OpenFebruary 2023
Proposed new BGE rate would increase average customer monthly bills by $31 after three years (2/21/2023, Baltimore Sun) Open 
Wes Moore Names Two Members to Maryland Public Service Commission (2/17/2023, Inside Climate News)OpenFebruary 2023
‘Green Bag’ report: Like Hogan, Moore taps campaign chair to head Stadium Authority board (2/17/2023, Maryland Matters)Open 
BGE proposes gas, electric rate hikes starting in 2024 (2/17/2023, Baltimore Business Journal)OpenFebruary 2023
Maryland tax exemptions for energy-efficient appliances return this weekend (2/16/2023, DC News Now)Open 
OP-ED: Maryland must embrace its electric future | Commentary by Sun Editorial Board (2/16/2023, Baltimore Sun)OpenFebruary 2023
Maryland gas companies should plan for an electrified future, decrease spending, ratepayers’ advocate warns (2/13/2023, Baltimore Sun)Open 
Washington Gas Faces Lawsuits in D.C. and Maryland Over Alleged ‘Greenwashing’ (2/1/2023, Washington City Paper)Open 
Study: Md. will need massive investment in low-income housing retrofits to meet aggressive climate goals (1/31/2023, Maryland Matters)Open 
Consumer utility shutoffs have grown into a crisis in Maryland and across U.S., report finds (1/31/2023, Baltimore Sun)Open 
Home energy bills continue to rise, here's how to lower your usage (12/20/2022, WMAR-TV, Channel 2)Open 
WHCP Radio interview with People's Counsel David Lapp (12/15/2022, WHCP Radio, on SoundCloud)Open 
Maryland’s Largest County Just Banned Gas Appliances in Most New Buildings—But Not Without Some Concessions (12/2/2022, Inside Climate News)Open 
Md. regulators say Columbia Gas rate settlement balances competing interests (12/1/2022, S&P Global Market Intelligence)Open 
East Coast’s first countywide gas ban passed in Md. (11/30/2022, E&E News - EnergyWire)Open 
As utilities spend billions on transmission, support builds for independent monitoring (11/29/2022, Maryland Matters) Open 
Environmental Advocates Call on Gov.-Elect Wes Moore to Roll Back State Funding for Fossil Fuel Industry (11/25/2022, Inside Climate News)Open 
Environmentalists balk at state offer of $9M in grants to expand natural gas infrastructure (11/22/2022, WYPR 88.1 FM)OpenNovember 2022
Maryland’s gas companies are thwarting the will of the people (11/11/2022, Washington Post)OpenMaryland’s gas companies are thwarting the will of the people (11/11/2022, Washington Post)
In Court, the Maryland Public Service Commission Quotes Climate Deniers and Claims There’s No Such Thing as ‘Clean’ Energy (11/1/2022, Inside Climate News) OpenNovember 2022
PJM capacity proposal: fuel for the ongoing market ‘crisis,’ or a needed step to limit overprocurement? (10/24/2022, Utility Drive)OpenOctober 2022
Gas utility spending undermining Maryland climate goals -- report (10/7/2022, The Energy Daily)OpenOctober 2022
Delmarva Power's rate increase plans draw heat from state, feds (9/8/2022, Delmarva Now)OpenSeptember 2022
FERC transmission NOPR sees new round of comments (8/23/2022, Power Markets Today)OpenAugust 2022
Md. Office of People’s Counsel calling for stricter Public Service Commission oversight (8/1/22, 47ABC-TV)OpenAugust 2022
A Controversial Ruling Puts Maryland’s Utility Companies In Charge Of Billions in Federal Funds (7/30/2022, Inside Climate News)OpenJuly 2022
Video interview on MPT's "State Circle" with People's Counsel David S. Lapp and show host Jeff Salkin, on retail suppliers, at 11:00-minute (7/29/2022, State Circle on MPT)OpenJuly 2022
Could gas leak fixes thwart climate goals? (7/25/2022, E&E News)OpenJuly 2022
People's Counsel Seeks Regulations To Implement Ban On Retail Supplier Service To Energy Assistance Customers, Warns Of Gap In Prohibition Due To Statutory Language (5/13/2022, Energy Choice Matters)OpenMay 2022
Climate Notes: A Leader for Anne Arundel/Annapolis Resilience Authority, Pressuring Utilities on LED Lights and More (5/11/2022, Maryland Matters)OpenMay 2022
NRG payment plan to keep coal plant running panned (5/9/2022, Power Markets Today)OpenMay 2022
Losing STRIDE? Benefits of Natural Gas Program Questioned as Gaze Turns to Electrification (4/29/2022, Maryland Matters)OpenApril 2022
Ohio Bribery Scandal Hits Home in Md. — and Utility Customers May Be Footing the Bill (4/21/2022, Maryland Matters)OpenApril 2022
Is it really "environmentally friendly"? Maryland state agency warns consumers about "greenwashing" (4/15/2022, WMAR-TV Baltimore, Channel 2 News)OpenApril 2022
FirstEnergy utility gave to pro-Trump dark money group (3/28/2022, E&E News)OpenMarch 2022
Interview on CTV News with Assistant People's Counsel Niki Wiggins on Washington Gas Light customer-service issues, at 1:10 (3/18/2022, CTV News)OpenMarch 2022
Washington Gas fined $1M over customer service blunders (3/18/2022, WTOP)OpenMarch 2022
Washington Gas fined more than $1 million for customer service issues (3/18/2022, WUSA9)OpenMarch 2022
Washington Gas penalized more than $1 million for widespread customer service problems (3/17/2022, WJLA-ABC7)OpenMarch 2022
Want more solar panels? Good luck connecting to the grid (3/16/2022, E&E News)OpenMarch 2022
Powerful Groups Take Aim at Aggressive Building Standards in Climate Legislation (2/28/2022, Maryland Matters)OpenFebruary 2022
Matter for Mallory: BGE customers seeing a spike in heating bills (2/22/2022, WMAR-TV Baltimore, Channel 2 News)OpenFebruary 2022
2022 Maryland Clean Energy Center Legislative Reception on "Climate & Energy, Policy & Regulation." See David Lapp's talk starting at 59:00 (2/17/2022, YouTube) OpenFebruary 2022
Maryland regulators deny attempt to force release of FirstEnergy’s confidential HB6 internal investigation (1/14/2022, Cleveland.com)OpenJanuary 2022
Maryland OPC summarizes modernization talk at PSC (1/19/2022, Power Markets Today)OpenJanuary 2022
FERC orders PJM to change reserve market rules, delay capacity auctions (12/23/2021, Utility Dive)OpenDecember 2021
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission finds proposed Delmarva Power price hike “Unlawful” (12/22/2021, 47ABC-TV)OpenDecember 2021
Consumer Advocates Request Rehearing on PJM Rate-base Network Upgrades (12/21/2021, RTO Insider)OpenDecember 2021
Maryland court sides with OPC, PSC against retailer (12/20/2021, Power Markets Today)OpenDecember 2021
OPC's work highlighted in subscription-only article: PSC acted unlawfully with rate increase, OPC tells court (12/16/2021, The Daily Record)OpenDecember 2021
OPC's work highlighted in subscription-only article: Several states defend competition in FERC ANOPR reply (11/30/2021, Power Markets Today)OpenNovember 2021
Hogan Administration Officials Diverge on Building Decarbonization Plan (11/2/2021, Maryland Matters)OpenNovember 2021
Interview on CTV News with People's Counsel David S. Lapp on Washington Gas Light customer-service issues, at 4:02 (10/21/2021, CTV News) OpenOctober 2021
OPC's work highlighted in subscription-only article: PJM market reset victors seeks court-ordered remand (10/12/2021, Power Markets Today)OpenOctober 2021
BGE needs a smart grid, not natural gas infrastructure | READER COMMENTARY (10/5/2021, Baltimore Sun)OpenOctober 2021
New Maryland Legislation Advances Consumer Interest in Clean Energy (October 2021, Fortnightly Magazine)OpenOctober 2021
Washington Gas leaves customers on hold for hours, cites call center contractor (9/11/2021, Washington Post)OpenSeptember 2021
As extreme weather risks rise, so do the costs of protecting Maryland's power grid from storms like Ida (9/10/2021, Baltimore Sun)OpenSeptember 2021
Md. Consumer Advocate Spotlights Utilities’ Links to Fossil Fuel Companies and Insurrectionists (9/8/2021, Maryland Matters)OpenSeptember 2021
Maryland Office of People’s Counsel Wants to Put an End to Utilities Charging Customers for Corporate Trade Group Dues (9/3/2021, Corporate Crime Reporter)OpenSeptember 2021
Retail energy supplier SunSeaEnergy fined for deceiving 1,200 Maryland customers (8/26/2021, Baltimore Sun)OpenAugust 2021
Power in the Park: Neighborhood Event Connects Constituents to Energy Savings (8/16/2021, Maryland Matters)OpenAugust 2021
Federal agency rules Pepco must release more info before raising rates (8/10/2021, Bethesda Beat)OpenAugust 2021
BGE, Pepco face regulatory obstacle for proposed rate change (8/5/2021, Baltimore Business Journal)OpenAugust 2021
Maryland commission to investigate Potomac Edison, FirstEnergy ties amid scandal (7/27/2021, Daily Record)OpenJuly 2021
People's Counsel urging rehearing on Washington Gas rate case (7/27/2021, Daily Record)OpenJuly 2021
OPC's work highlighted in subscription-only article: DC Circuit partially sides with advocates against FERC (7/12/2021, Power Markets Today)OpenJuly 2021
DC Circ. Says FERC Must Address Power Supply Estimates (7/9/2021, Law360)OpenJuly 2021
Pepco to increase electricity rates over next three years (7/8/2021, Bethesda Magazine)OpenJuly 2021
Divided Maryland PSC grants Pepco $52.2M rate hike (7/1/2021, Daily Record)OpenJuly 2021
Maryland Utility Customers To Receive $83 Million In Pandemic Relief (6/17/2021, DCist)OpenJune 2021
Maryland to distribute $83 million in relief to utility customers (6/16/2021, Daily Record)OpenJune 2021
NRG push for sweeping retail market changes in Northeast meets Texas-sized obstacles (5/26/21, Industry Drive)OpenMay 2021
OPC's work highlighted in subscription-only article: Maryland advocacy office seeks FirstEnergy probe (5/17/21, Power Markets Today)OpenMay 2021
Get Ready for the Big Legislative Fight of 2023 (3/5/21, Maryland Matters)OpenMay 2021