BALTIMORE (WBFF) — For weeks, Baltimore residents have been voicing frustrations high energy bills during the months of January and February.
While the cold weather has contributed to the high prices, even after the cold weather leaves, residents will still be left paying higher rates.
With some residents facing Baltimore Gas and Electric energy bills ranging anywhere from $200 to $1,200 dollars, more than in previous years, many residents have they are struggling to make ends meet.
At the Baltimore City Council hearing Thursday, one woman said, “there is no way I can afford to pay these bills.”
“We are bleeding, we can’t do this,” another woman said during the City Council hearing.
Other residents speaking out at the Council hearing investigating high BGE bills said they had to make tough choices about which bills to pay. One woman choosing to pay energy bills over getting prescription medications.
During the hearing, Baltimore City Councilmember Antonio Glover said a resident who was contemplating suicide reached out to him, saying they were struggling to pay a high energy bill.
“We predicted their unfettered infrastructure spending would wreak havoc on our residents,” said Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen.
Cohen said the multi-year rate plan, which was approved by the Public Service Commission, gives BGE a “blank check” for infrastructure spending – increasing the costs for consumers.
However, BGE officials have pushed back on that argument, saying they need to update and replace aging infrastructure, especially natural gas infrastructure, to comply with state and federal polices. While City leaders have pointed the finger at BGE, BGE officials have also pointed the finger at state policies.
Mark Case, a BGE executive said the lack of energy produced in Maryland is directly related to the cost of electricity increasing. With Maryland importing around 40 percent of its energy from other states, power plants closing, and renewable sources not producing enough energy, Case said we are starting to see the beginning of a “supply crisis.” He also said some of their infrastructure projects are related to increased electrification, aligned with state policies.
He said the state needs to generate more energy to bring customers more relief, which could take time. He said in the meantime, he expected electricity costs to remain elevated.
While lawmakers in Annapolis are considering numerous pieces of legislation directly dealing with the state’s energy crisis and generating more energy in-state, it is not yet clear what legislation will pass, or if any of the legislation will bring short-term relief to struggling residents.