[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6581858,"mediaKeyId","3847985-7ecaeed612f08b0894f1e9d318f52d11","parentId",3847985,"title","Commission opens 30-day comment period for Think Big Networks ETC petition; notes Windstream reorganization filing","audioSeconds",55,"startMs",161000,"endMs",216000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3847985-7ecaeed612f08b0894f1e9d318f52d11&start=161&end=216","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3847985-7ecaeed612f08b0894f1e9d318f52d11/thumbnail_161000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6581858/Maryland/Commission-opens-30-day-comment-period-for-Think-Big-Networks-ETC-petition-notes-Windstream-reorganization-filing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6581858-b5e8446dcba5d66297e80736d13c2272/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194211&Signature=d00Itv~rNNJo3~QNphwNK2fjfcmD0FwUO9UR~01YP7D9H4OZjxpEnJ4o3Nm0LhPQnxavgCNXUYIVQwENnbXKHCulD~DomDZ9WrxXW~VBFJFyaELYX3ykT5L1UcDPFN9XKCLphTcLHG0tC61PdIxFBHF1h9BqsN0SFT0~XJlYOFbvg408D52PU0avLaJgK5NJ4u1KWFDIQgwR-BAEoFPIDKiYYuScxUd~AqRY5JD7Jv9Bpjjh9s65x0i5UrAKnlQZJJt-xwbVnns47zmoJrbg2qU412x65m3UQmcdKWRBa5dZUklnY7sDae1vZEmnKUAkA9FUUb1J3jwJfmiuIU~rSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Public Service Commission, MD","date","2025-04-18T12:35:38.973Z","article","The Public Service Commission placed two administrative items on its consent agenda and recorded procedural action.

A staff representative identified two items: a petition from Think Big Networks LLC seeking designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) and a notice from Windstream Holdings 2 LLC of a proposed intra-company reorganization. The commission proposed allowing a 30-day period for any party that believes the application should be rejected to file comments. The commission also found that designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier is in the public interest and will grant the designation pursuant to 47 U.S.C. 214(e) for the service territory specified in the application unless adverse comments are received before the deadline.

The commission also noted Windstream’s filing; no questions or objections were recorded in the administrative minutes. Commissioner Barbay voted aye; Commissioner Richard voted aye.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Administrative Meeting - 4/16/2025","oneSentenceSummary","On the consent agenda the commission opened a 30-day comment period for a petition from Think Big Networks LLC seeking designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier under 47 U.S.C. 214(e) and noted a Windstream Holdings intra-company reorganization filing.","taxTitle","Public Service Commission, Independent Agencies, Organizations, Executive, Maryland","taxId",80344,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6581861,"Commission amends Gold Star Energy broker licenses; removes residential-service authorization",75,248000,323000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3847985-7ecaeed612f08b0894f1e9d318f52d11&start=248&end=323","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3847985-7ecaeed612f08b0894f1e9d318f52d11/thumbnail_248000.jpg","/articles/6581861/Maryland/Commission-amends-Gold-Star-Energy-broker-licenses-removes-residential-service-authorization","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6581861-a20f86342debce8122ff369ed980eb7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194211&Signature=lPKSXrKq5z2zG2gl3fq2GMm7FF6lASiJW4vp6DC-hlXYtv8FxjSE66PjZKdmPvBUu3NHtMu1lnT9kWJi6-8zYfghOm7zqVw385x8fnsdvsanhkldRhUUm7XQ~H7A-XbjKgqjXhMZ5evgEFU8Rkotsp9FbFsqXakfzSCi~4qOFDBfApta8kY6zJYvkBJwBwT4KlXfV3SECs9FDtY1~IFnzg3MiyjKR1RWZKxMnZel8WAhVhRRa-nYBZ94DXF4fzoGVlYswxdr5IiBVu2~xujugE33D-5jOLM~ChYVZBnPKXHwcRc2j8ozwULWbRh0AoAnkuAb5kout0menA5uYuOJXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Service Commission on its administrative agenda granted a request from Gold Star Energy Group Inc. to amend its electricity and natural gas broker licenses to remove authorization to serve residential customers.

Charles Herbert, speaking on behalf of commission staff, said Gold Star’s filing is a modification rather than a cancellation of the licenses. “Staff reviewed the instant filing and determined that as Gold Star's request is a request to modify its license rather than cancel it, the company will remain licensed and will continue to be required to maintain its bonds and pay commission assessments,” Herbert said. He added that the company confirmed it never served residential customers and therefore “never owed any obligations to residential customers.”

The commission moved to grant the request and to revoke the permission on the company's electricity and natural gas supplier licenses to serve residential customers. Commissioner Barbay voted aye. Commissioner Richard voted aye.

The amendment leaves Gold Star licensed as a nonresidential broker; the company remains subject to licensing requirements, bond obligations and commission assessments, per staff’s presentation. Staff said it is available for follow-up questions.

","The commission granted Gold Star Energy Group Inc.'s request to amend its electricity and natural gas broker licenses so they no longer include permission to serve residential customers. Staff said the company never served residential customers and will remain licensed and subject to bonds and assessments.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6581866,"Public Service Commission accepts Chesapeake Utilities tariff consolidation, approves $3.5 million revenue increase",151,350000,501000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3847985-7ecaeed612f08b0894f1e9d318f52d11&start=350&end=501","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3847985-7ecaeed612f08b0894f1e9d318f52d11/thumbnail_350000.jpg","/articles/6581866/Maryland/Public-Service-Commission-accepts-Chesapeake-Utilities-tariff-consolidation-approves-35-million-revenue-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6581866-7ef67df873532fd7f5d786d6c65ae012/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194211&Signature=ELVSPKrN4MajHGEBTQfSyLGmiX2cYnsHJp3IhIHryXlnUj~1mnNk5X1qYk-~vNKf0GEU3s9opzSs17HWMuVx9fZJWIVW6aMoHohZ~z3yEiKVdPQ0qP3VvvsEP3kyA5NdTLcztlMJzBS2P5nE8W55xz-CMJcS4PBRwpnnkPgsYnA6uxWpxHkbaywyDpJDBRwu6oC5TFpof1wyi7Cf7YLwyzeHSn7~LAO~RX0PHD9cqVuOgjQDbtf~NOMUl4OoXWQ8WG8QbdEobuyQJ3BZ6RZHao~nEVf6MO4ybCPhgrpMS-iX3dfcBMRWgBVfX1x-0YFFib6wcAF6pHOBO1rusbgNYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Service Commission on an administrative agenda accepted revised tariffs from Chesapeake Utilities Maryland division, Sandpiper Energy and Elkton Gas that implement a $3,496,806 annual revenue increase and consolidate three company tariffs into a single filing.

Staff attorney Evan Thomas told commissioners the revisions stem from the public utility law judge’s proposed order in Phase 2 of case 9722 and were filed March 27, 2025. “In total, the companies were granted an annual revenue increase of 3,496,806,” Thomas said. He told the commission the consolidated filing keeps separate volumetric rates for each company and includes an updated system improvement rider for Sandpiper customers that will recover costs such as bare-steel replacement and conversions from propane to natural gas.

The staff recommendation drew additional detail from a Chesapeake representative. Brian Quinn, speaking for Chesapeake Utilities, said the company expects the conversion work in Worcester County — including Ocean City, Ocean Pines and Berlin — to be nearly complete and that about 97% of customers previously on propane have been converted to natural gas.

Why it matters: the consolidated tariff changes affect monthly bills for residential customers in the affected territories and change how system improvement costs are collected. Thomas told the commission that an average Maryland division residential customer will see a 7% bill increase, an average Sandpiper residential customer a 12% increase, and an average Elkton residential customer a 13% increase in year one and 7% in year two. The Elkton residential and small general service classes will have those increases phased in over two years to mitigate rate shock, Thomas said. Staff also said Sandpiper’s system improvement rate will decrease from about $0.54 to $0.10 per therm.

The commission voted to accept the tariff for filing with an effective date of April 19, 2025. Commissioner Barbay voted aye. Commissioner Richard voted aye. The motion as recorded in the administrative minutes carried.

Background and next steps: the filing follows the administrative record in case 9722 and the public utility law judge’s proposed order dated March 19, 2025. The consolidated tariff preserves separate volumetric charges by company, so customers in each franchise area will continue to be subject to their company’s specific rates; the system improvement rider remains separately shown for Sandpiper customers. Staff said it is available to answer follow-up questions and the companies will implement rate changes consistent with the effective date.

Commission discussion focused on conversion work in Worcester County and the practical impact on customers; Quinn described the conversion effort as largely successful and said only limited pockets (about 200 customers in Snow Hill) remain to be converted.

The commission’s acceptance of the tariff is a procedural approval of the filed rates and riders; any further contested matters would be reflected in related docket entries for case 9722.

","The Public Service Commission accepted revised tariffs from Chesapeake Utilities Maryland division, Sandpiper Energy and Elkton Gas tied to Phase 2 of case 9722, approving a $3,496,806 annual revenue increase and consolidating tariffs with different volumetric rates retained for each company; staff recommended an April 19, 2025 effective date.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission opens 30-day comment period for Think Big Networks ETC petition; notes Windstream reorganization filing

Commission amends Gold Star Energy broker licenses; removes residential-service authorization

Public Service Commission accepts Chesapeake Utilities tariff consolidation, approves $3.5 million revenue increase