BGE asks Maryland regulators for a $156 million electric rate hike—what it could mean for Baltimore bills and when you can weigh in

Baltimore residents who get electricity from Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) are heading into a key Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) process. On July 6, 2026, BGE filed an electric base-rate case, Case No. 9888, seeking about $156.1 million in additional base-rate revenue.

The PSC says BGE is proposing an average impact of about $8 a month on a typical residential customer’s electric bill. But the commission has ordered that current BGE rates are frozen until the PSC issues a decision expected in January 2027—so this filing is not an immediate bill change.

What BGE is asking for in Case No. 9888

In the case documents, BGE provides evidentiary support for an electric revenue deficiency of $156.1 million. In addition, the PSC’s errata document describes BGE’s estimate for a residential customer with average monthly usage of 851 kilowatt-hours: that customer’s bill is expected to increase by about four percent (or about $8.00) per month if the requested changes are granted.

What’s frozen now—and what could change later

Even though BGE is asking for new base-rate adjustments, the PSC has directed that rates remain the same until the commission’s decision—expected in January 2027. That matters for residents because the request (including the “~$8/month” average) is proposed, not guaranteed.

If the PSC approves some or all of BGE’s requested changes after reviewing evidence and testimony from the parties, future BGE rates could change. If the PSC rejects or modifies parts of the request, the impact could be smaller—or different—than the company’s average estimate.

August 2026 deadlines: where the public can weigh in

The PSC’s process includes formal participation steps and a public input pathway. Two near-term dates matter for BGE customers and other residents with questions about the case.

1) Formal participation (petitions to intervene): due Aug. 7, 2026.
In the PSC’s Second Errata, the commission sets a prehearing conference and states that interested parties must file petitions to intervene by Friday, August 7, 2026.

2) Prehearing conference: Aug. 11, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
The errata also schedules a Tuesday, August 11, 2026 prehearing conference at 11:00 a.m. in the Frank O. Heintz Hearing Room (16th Floor), William Donald Schaefer Tower, 6 St. Paul Street, Baltimore. The purpose includes setting a procedural schedule for the case and considering petitions to intervene that have been filed.

How to submit public comments tied to the case

The PSC also directs members of the public to submit comments through a public portal for this proceeding and/or by mail to the commission’s Chief Clerk. The PSC instructs commenters to reference Case No. 9888 so their feedback is tied to the correct docket.

By mail, comments should be addressed to: Jamie Bergin, Chief Clerk, Maryland Public Service Commission, William Donald Schaefer Tower, 6 St. Paul Street, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202.

What happens next

The PSC’s release says the case will move through additional procedural steps, including public comment hearings in BGE’s service territory and evidentiary hearings in the commission’s Baltimore offices. WYPR reported on July 8, 2026 that the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel (OPC) plans to challenge the proposal. For Baltimore-area customers, the practical takeaway is to treat August 2026 as the window to get formally heard, and to watch for the PSC’s January 2027 decision that determines what—if anything—changes.

Sources

• Maryland Public Service Commission news release: “BGE Seeks $156 Million Electric Rate Increase”
• Maryland PSC DMS Case Search (Case No. 9888 docket/jacket)
• WYPR: Ratepayer advocates plan to challenge BGE electric rate hike request (July 8, 2026)