[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6633115,"mediaKeyId","2666039-de109fc0471fff891a0e74e694b7769d","parentId",2666039,"title","Annapolis committee presses BGE after two Robinwood outages; utility to prioritize cable replacement and provide bill breakdowns","audioSeconds",3629,"startMs",431000,"endMs",4060000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2666039-de109fc0471fff891a0e74e694b7769d&start=431&end=4060","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2666039-de109fc0471fff891a0e74e694b7769d/thumbnail_431000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6633115/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Annapolis-committee-presses-BGE-after-two-Robinwood-outages-utility-to-prioritize-cable-replacement-and-provide-bill-breakdowns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633115-7ac05d8fc997629a8fd343de0a160cf0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205682&Signature=avj-kpztgDTygt~zUp6S0x209HITtO61HcEfBagRfFL9iGhOBpfQsLL0sB~PL8h9nDZWd3hbtBxRTNABktW8yQNH8plk8vwt~VSEf5tnB5KlIuwV38DTaIjgNqy-reEzxgGuqmJLocK7M9QOUwPz2tfR0Fdt5u7D17U0~N60oinCUoGO9IJUASQPsdQYQ8oSo7BITYRJRLcfzpYmc33YuHAWyUgcA0LPDiDYppJiLDXb~UWm6mkIMouOi3fUECwXSmWaJMs0m9dqaRtPp5JlXJSMd9dhxvJO6BerRlhu9Afkv4iSBEVcsqPYHTeOJoWHhV5kwPOf11neePHCyCy1og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Annapolis, MD","date","2025-03-18T01:16:49.423Z","article","Annapolis — Members of the Annapolis Housing & Human Welfare Committee pressed Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) officials on March 17 about two winter outages in the Robinwood neighborhood and the effect of recent rate increases on vulnerable customers.

The committee heard from Marshae Taylor, external affairs for BGE, who said the utility’s reliability team investigated two outages — on Jan. 24 and Feb. 28 — and “we did find out that the issue was on BGE’s end.” Taylor said engineers identified secondary cable faults and that BGE has prioritized installing a new cable to prevent repeat outages.

The committee’s chair, Alderman Gaye, said the Jan. 24 outage occurred on one of the coldest nights of the winter and emphasized the human consequences of losing heat during extreme weather. Director Simmons of the Office of Emergency Management was acknowledged for coordinating responses on the nights of the outages.

Why this matters: committee members linked the outages to broader concerns about aging energy infrastructure, the recent multi-year rate increases approved by the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) and the affordability of utility service for low-income and elderly residents. Committee members asked for clearer explanations of how rate increases are used.

BGE officials described two separate drivers behind higher customer bills: the costs of distribution-system investments (pipe and cable replacement, upgrades) and commodity and generation costs. Danielle Gooden, senior manager of external affairs at BGE, told the committee that “transparency does come from the PSC,” and said BGE will provide the committee with a breakdown of the bill drivers and the components that appear on customer statements.

BGE also described local corporate community investments. Taylor said that in 2024 BGE (through its corporate community impact program) reported about $350,000 in support to 17 organizations in Anne Arundel County, with 10 located in Annapolis. Taylor offered to provide a list of specific local partners and to notify the city when the cable replacement work will be scheduled.

On customer assistance, committee members pressed for easier access to the PSC’s public proceedings and for clearer, plain-language explanations of individual bills. Taylor and Gooden said BGE’s customer-care team can go line-by-line with customers and that BGE will try to provide clearer public guidance and links to PSC meeting information. Taylor proposed bringing a local “BGE Energy open house” to Annapolis to help residents understand bills, payment-plan options and energy-efficiency programs.

Office of Community Services (OCS) data presented to the committee showed how city funds have been used for emergency utility and rental aid. Jada Boykin of OCS gave recent program figures: in one recent week OCS accepted 25 energy-assistance applications and awarded $30,832, an average award of $1,233; for fiscal year 2025 to date OCS reported 58 BGE applications, 17 awards and $13,668 in awards (average $805). Committee members cited those figures while urging both stronger vetting of city-funded assistance and expanded community outreach to find residents who need help but do not apply.

What the utility will do next: BGE committed to (1) provide the committee with a written breakdown of the drivers on customer bills, (2) notify the city’s office when the cable replacement work in Robinwood will be scheduled and (3) explore community outreach options such as an open house in Annapolis. OCS said it will re-open applications when recently allocated funds are posted and is developing tighter vetting and educational supports for recipients.

Committee members stressed the limits of local authority: they noted the PSC sets rates and that local government does not control PSC decisions, but said local officials will continue to push for transparency and for programs that protect the most vulnerable from shutoffs.

The committee did not adopt any formal new local regulation at the March 17 meeting; members agreed to follow up with BGE and city staff and to continue the conversation at future meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Housing and Human Welfare Committee Meeting March 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","On March 17 the Annapolis Housing & Human Welfare Committee questioned BGE about two outages in the Robinwood neighborhood that occurred Jan. 24 and Feb. 28, and pressed the utility for clearer explanations of recent rate increases and how residents can access assistance.","taxTitle","Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland","taxId",59348,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633101,"Votes at a glance: Housing & Human Welfare Committee, March 17, 2025",7202,55000,7257000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2666039-de109fc0471fff891a0e74e694b7769d&start=55&end=7257","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2666039-de109fc0471fff891a0e74e694b7769d/thumbnail_55000.jpg","/articles/6633101/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-Housing-Human-Welfare-Committee-March-17-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633101-e38f37c0867ba6bffede40ff4941270c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205682&Signature=ANjWCobMoOryFnGeS-zafzIKPC129khAPOxCusiSyzJFj2TZ84rci7zruwiBwLDoOZL-gnb8Gba6iuCWT~SjvFmuKym1WeUN4Gq3DAtYbvuKCjCi9iUBNYLpWQxcwsQ8DgBOj2vxPSk7kiyLlPr0cCipzIJhl4MNPEzjFlRbsYlMG9KKt~291Hn1KRsYafL2p2opfOLNyr9VWdfzV~0aMiCnYoByquaqHzyoo0oLKvTwK5hvfCs2fo6zboFd6v0vL6TDcDqPLkA4y1ow8jITEQPv3NI1wz5bOSi8990eTEPJD9ffx9KHMpNWQekWgceg1tiPy75E20G8~Je1Iwb-FA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Annapolis — The Housing & Human Welfare Committee recorded the following procedural and recommendation votes during its March 17 meeting. Where the transcript recorded only a voice vote, the article lists the outcome and notes that no roll-call tally was provided.

• Motion to amend the agenda (move general discussion item ID 6225 — Robinwood/BGE energy assistance — ahead of legislation and remove ID 6125): approved by voice vote.

• Approval of minutes for the February 2025 meeting: approved by voice vote.

• Appointment recommendation AP 4 25: recommendation to forward Tara Wells (representing Ward 4) to the full council for appointment to the Education Commission; recommended favorably by voice vote.

• Legislation R 2 25: committee made a motion to recommend the legislation favorably and deferred consideration of amendments until the next meeting; the motion to recommend was approved by voice vote.

Notes: The transcript records only voice votes (“Aye”) for these items; it does not provide a member-by-member roll-call tally. No final ordinance or city-code change was adopted at this meeting — several items were forwarded to the full council for consideration or will return to committee with amendments.","At its March 17 meeting the committee approved procedural motions, recommended an appointment to the Education Commission and forwarded a piece of legislation for further consideration; vote details were by voice and no roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633110,"Annapolis Office of Community Services outlines changes to stretch limited rental and utility aid; councilors propose lower per-household caps and stronger vet-",5625,1431000,7056000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2666039-de109fc0471fff891a0e74e694b7769d&start=1431&end=7056","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2666039-de109fc0471fff891a0e74e694b7769d/thumbnail_1431000.jpg","/articles/6633110/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Annapolis-Office-of-Community-Services-outlines-changes-to-stretch-limited-rental-and-utility-aid-councilors-propose-lower-per-household-caps-and-stronger-vet","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633110-327da1e09a5b7561cc1dc43de88ab5dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205682&Signature=Sl55qGCct2v-FHwAYqGnc0OP23PJFRzdPlmI01mp9IC9Cgq1ZXuIpjfl2j~~bPbx55sZDGZiYco3-L7SamAanS7C1QiswT8Yp6Ldq7YKthJVx6p9lsGCBKlq6lJx4Rf~CiH51N~opQOZO6sEoQWhKb71A1gRFzxTxs6BtE5L6HzD1eKsBYec-d7Q9rpSoDC~JF7AeKIZcWCrSHVXg-RqeHKNjoIMmTxnd9JQw~w~qZfz2D7JQ7C~6miJf~muDNc9AsF7V02vlbv2jAUHTe9RKukZnORZVXPxxalayw5s49GK5gGVFXXDcPDF14MuXUoW6oeBwfv1QBBGOWq2ynQedg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Annapolis — The city’s Office of Community Services (OCS) on March 17 briefed the Housing & Human Welfare Committee on demand for rental and utility assistance and proposed operational changes intended to make limited funds go further.

OCS manager Ayesha Young and Rental Assistance Associate Jada Boykin presented recent program data and described how fast the city’s emergency funds have been spent. Boykin said the office received about 10 or more applications per day when the portal was open; in a recent weekly snapshot OCS accepted 25 energy-assistance applications and awarded $30,832 (average award $1,233). For fiscal year 2025 to date Boykin reported 58 BGE-related applications, 17 awards and $13,668 in awards (average $805).

Why this matters: Council members said the current level of demand means a relatively modest pool of city funds is quickly exhausted and urged staff to design rules that prioritize the most vulnerable while avoiding undue burdens on applicants.

Staff and nonprofit partners suggested tighter vetting and more active case management. Erin Lee, the OCS social work care coordinator, described the Benevolence Coalition — a network of local churches and nonprofits — and how partner organizations share referrals. OCS staff said they met with Arundel Community Development Services (ACDS) to study vetting methods used elsewhere, including reviewing recent bank activity in some cases, and plan to use partner screening to avoid duplicate or opportunistic applications.

Several council members proposed policy changes but did not adopt a final code amendment at the March 17 meeting. Alderman Gaye recommended reducing the maximum award for rental assistance and BGE utility payments to stretch the fund: he suggested lowering the maximum rental award from $3,000 to $1,500 and capping BGE awards at $800; he and other members stressed those figures were proposals for committee discussion rather than final policy.

OCS said it will re-open the application portal once an additional $30,000 allocation is registered and will pursue a mix of strategies to increase program longevity: a stronger vetting process, prioritizing awards that bring an account to a manageable balance, and requiring or offering financial-literacy classes for recipients so assistance produces longer-term stability.

What happens next: staff and council members agreed to draft a policy for council consideration that incorporates vetting improvements, partner referrals and an education requirement. OCS said it will meet with partners to design outreach and financial-empowerment workshops that can be delivered in neighborhoods to reduce access barriers for residents who cannot use online tools or phone-based customer service.

The committee did not vote a final policy at the March 17 session; members asked for a draft policy and a proposed application portal reopening date in follow-up materials.","At the March 17 Housing & Human Welfare Committee meeting OCS presented recent rental and utility assistance totals and discussed tighter vetting, financial literacy requirements and reopening applications once additional funds are posted; some council members recommended lowering the maximum per-household awards to preserve funds","actionData","errors"]

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Annapolis committee presses BGE after two Robinwood outages; utility to prioritize cable replacement and provide bill breakdowns

Votes at a glance: Housing & Human Welfare Committee, March 17, 2025

Annapolis Office of Community Services outlines changes to stretch limited rental and utility aid; councilors propose lower per-household caps and stronger vet-