Maryland PSC: BGE seeks $156.1M rate increase—possible +$8/month

On July 6, 2026, Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) filed a rate case with the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC), seeking a $156.1 million electric base-rate increase. BGE estimated the proposal would add about $8 per month to the average customer’s electric bill if the request is approved.

For Baltimore-area residents, the key point is that this is still not an approved increase. The PSC says BGE’s current rates are “frozen” while it reviews the case—so customers shouldn’t expect an immediate change simply because the filing was submitted.

What BGE is asking for

In its filing, BGE based the request on a proposed Return on Equity (ROE) of 10.4%. The PSC noted that in BGE’s most recent electric distribution rate case, it approved an ROE of 9.5%—lower than what BGE is requesting in this new proceeding.

The filing is docketed as Case No. 9888. Under BGE’s proposal, it would mean an additional $8 a month on the average customer’s bill, if approved.

What the PSC has said so far

The PSC says its next step is to work with the parties to set a procedural schedule for the case. That schedule is expected to include public comment hearings in BGE service territory and evidentiary hearings in the Commission’s Baltimore offices.

The PSC also points to parties involved in the proceeding, including representatives of BGE’s customers (such as the Office of People’s Counsel for residential customers) and the PSC Staff.

A decision on BGE’s application is expected in January 2027. Until then, the PSC says current BGE rates remain frozen and will not change.

Why your bill won’t change immediately

WTOP reports that BGE wanted any change to start as early as Aug. 1, but regulators said the review would take months and any approved rate changes would not take effect until at least January.

Practically, that means the “about $8/month” figure should be treated as the proposal’s estimate—not a guarantee of what the final PSC outcome will be.

What to watch next in Case No. 9888

Watch for the PSC to publish the case’s procedural schedule, which should lay out when hearings and other steps happen. Residents can also look for the PSC’s public-comment process tied to Case No. 9888.

The filing also includes a proposed FlexPay program, which CBS Baltimore reports would allow eligible customers to prepay for anticipated energy use as a way to better manage household energy expenses.

Sources

• Maryland PSC news release: BGE seeks $156 million electric rate increase
• PSC DMS portal: Case No. 9888
• CBS Baltimore: BGE seeks to raise customers’ monthly electric bills by an average of about $8
• WTOP News (Maryland): Regulator stops BGE’s ~$8/month rate hike for now