[{"_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",6482166,"mediaKeyId","5711835-6f6cd8aabeec0497b007b5c65dc3024e","parentId",5711835,"title","Public Service Commission approves debt authorizations, project extensions and several energy-allocation requests","audioSeconds",723,"startMs",728000,"endMs",4854,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711835-6f6cd8aabeec0497b007b5c65dc3024e&start=728&end=4","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711835-6f6cd8aabeec0497b007b5c65dc3024e/thumbnail_728000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6482166/Maryland/Public-Service-Commission-approves-debt-authorizations-project-extensions-and-several-energy-allocation-requests","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6482166-8852039c8ece362bc7e3d978064f3a17/orig.mp4?Expires=1770486986&Signature=Pvew2SsjND1L7Ne-o1TbLtpZIo-qFA-XEvF431Jjn7UdD7RskEVQJuZ9lqExgKy5DzFOwiFUyn~-iHZa0pSmds0~g07-lhxvOMzK6b-MYYwQ9ZLSeQY4c-3PG~wNbiQ~FCT-Vmprgcdi8UTli~B~KaU4cneal4oSIPnAa5PEozAytXV1llucTDeDrr3evB6dGUPoMabVqb8FEECMFv2z53wl-aNRh0uNX7D4i~O1ODXV6c5Q5-WqqPqaFK12lGmEYj94h4M-eSkwKpIwmmQuTma-kCr9RWM~dQQXhUhz-qCiv8~2iMdbTNDCzimDC3KlTLnA1bOBgYU6P33SuNl8wA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Public Service Commission, MD","date","2025-09-04T03:18:40Z","article","The Public Service Commission on Sept. 3 granted a series of routine and contested items at its administrative meeting, approving operational‑deadline extensions for community solar projects, authorizing utilities to issue long‑term debt, and approving energy‑allocation systems for two apartment buildings. The commission also approved its annual procurement improvement report and granted a waiver of a penalty assessed to American Sugar Refining Inc.

Commission staff opened the meeting by noting an administrative consent item: a change in ownership notification filed by Mountain Communications LLC, doing business as Procom, and Declaration Networks Group Inc. The commission recorded a unanimous vote to note the transfer.

Staff then presented three separate requests to extend operational deadlines under the community solar rules. Michael Dean, staff attorney, described the Bittinger LLC project as a 2‑megawatt community solar project in Garrett County and recommended a 16‑month waiver of the operational deadline to Dec. 1, 2026. The commission granted the waiver. Staff next recommended a limited waiver for ICFTSMD Solar LLC’s fully constructed Mill Station project in Baltimore County, to Nov. 30, 2025; the commission approved that extension. Finally, staff recommended and the commission approved an extension to July 27, 2026 for a 1.5‑megawatt Wicomico County project filed by Wicomico Quantico Solar 1 LLC.

The commission also considered two utilities’ requests to issue long‑term debt. Staff recommended, and the commission approved, an application from Potomac Electric Power Company (Pepco) authorizing up to $1.1 billion in principal amount of long‑term secured or unsecured debt for general corporate purposes, refunding short‑term debt and financing capital requirements. The commission also approved Delmarva Power and Light Company’s request to authorize up to $700 million in long‑term debt; staff had found the filing compliant with the cited COMAR and Public Utility Article provisions.

Separately, the commission approved applications to use energy allocation systems that would allow building owners to allocate a portion of tenants’ electric costs based on usage. Staff recommended approval for Harbor Point Parcel 4 Development LLC’s requested system for a 312‑unit building at 1402 Pointe Street, Baltimore, and for Strathmore Square Building 1 Owner LLC’s system for a 220‑unit building in Bethesda; both requests were granted.

The commission voted to approve the 2025 procurement improvement process report from technical staff, which included minor changes to product definitions and bid schedules and an optional appendix addressing ISDA protocol adoption for certain large financial counterparties. Staff told commissioners there were no outstanding objections to the proposals in this year’s report.

Votes at a glance (select items)
• Approval of minutes from Aug. 27, 2025 — approved unanimously.
• Consent notice: transfer of ownership (Mountain Communications LLC d/b/a Procom and Declaration Networks Group Inc.) — noted unanimously.
• Bittinger LLC — waiver of operational deadline to Dec. 1, 2026 — approved unanimously.
• ICFTSMD Solar LLC (Mill Station) — limited waiver to Nov. 30, 2025 — approved unanimously.
• Wicomico Quantico Solar 1 LLC — waiver to July 27, 2026 — approved unanimously.
• Pepco — authority to issue up to $1,100,000,000 in long‑term debt — approved unanimously.
• Delmarva Power and Light Company — authority to issue up to $700,000,000 in long‑term debt — approved unanimously.
• Harbor Point Parcel 4 Development LLC — approval to use energy allocation system for 1402 Pointe Street — approved unanimously.
• Strathmore Square Building 1 Owner LLC — approval to use energy allocation system for 10511–10513 Strathmore Hall Street — approved unanimously.
• 2025 procurement improvement process report — approved unanimously.

The commission adjourned after completing administrative business. Two items from the meeting drew extended discussion and were recorded separately in the commission’s minutes and in separate articles: Potomac Edison’s vehicle‑to‑grid electric school bus pilot (taken under advisement for a written order) and the American Sugar penalty waiver (granted in full).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Administrative Meeting - 09/03/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Public Service Commission on Sept. 3 granted a series of routine and contested items at its administrative meeting, approving operational‑deadline extensions for community solar projects, authorizing utilities to issue long‑term debt, and approving energy‑allocation systems for two apartment buildings.","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},6482157,"Commission grants full waiver of BGE penalty to American Sugar after debate over good‑faith efforts",1644,2877000,4521000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711835-6f6cd8aabeec0497b007b5c65dc3024e&start=2877&end=4521","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711835-6f6cd8aabeec0497b007b5c65dc3024e/thumbnail_2877000.jpg","/articles/6482157/Maryland/Commission-grants-full-waiver-of-BGE-penalty-to-American-Sugar-after-debate-over-goodfaith-efforts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6482157-1505ea8dfd11ee84e2823ae1e8fa0944/orig.mp4?Expires=1770486986&Signature=fOvOxUAUi9ef383t1F3yQojarBGUF8pAGhzlc8baASA8MvmlgFUDp-0VJe3ANMliu7OHPGuj5tAoCEPltwo905p4DhCLB2A8FTlDe-AUx~NpzcVQRF35iT5XrCnUUZf-v7vvSVjfw3bCKXbSzp50Dd3LOXtSMPKExiLff8Ii5k-00UF0LpFznb0o8Nrbo0XxTaVi1qAmIc2qoGDSbmmufaaFgTZPQdrNDGQHQqNpUqdVLepbdLe599MWHhfy7nTrwANhqvQQW0hv3e4iCvn03QAxE1XELcyuSwsd1wY5sF9Hm3itgjLJOQrBOGxXCyYX4MbStfGQJfE4ZVFP6kIIUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Service Commission on Sept. 3 granted American Sugar Refining Inc. a full waiver of a roughly $1.1 million penalty assessed by Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) for gas consumption during a Jan. 20–23, 2025 curtailment event. Commissioners said the record showed the company undertook pre‑event preparations, the failure was short‑lived and corrective actions were taken promptly.

Evan Thomas, staff attorney, explained that American Sugar requested a waiver under Schedule IS, which permits the commission to reduce or waive penalties where a customer demonstrates a good‑faith effort to interrupt usage. Staff found American Sugar undertook extensive pre‑event preparations, maintained dual‑fuel capability and initiated post‑event upgrades; staff recommended a full waiver.

Representing American Sugar, counsel Roberta James described measures the company had taken over several years to prepare its facility to run boilers on oil during curtailments and emphasized that the company curtailed gas for 68 of the 72 hours of the event. \"The evidence in this case shows that in order to ensure its facility was prepared for any curtailment, it spent four years ... ensuring that it was prepared for the curtailment event,\" James said, and she contrasted the 2,253 therms consumed during the event with the company’s typical 72‑hour usage of roughly 200,000 therms.

The Office of People's Counsel (OPC) argued against a full waiver and urged a partial penalty to preserve compliance incentives. An OPC representative said penalties serve to ensure interruptible service is not treated as firm service and to encourage reinvestment in plant reliability; OPC recommended that waivers generally not exceed 50% of an assessed penalty and suggested a partial penalty of about $500,000 in this case.

Commissioners questioned the mechanics of the tariff penalties and whether both a distribution penalty and an excessive‑use penalty could apply; BGE clarified the higher of the two applies and that American Sugar had been assessed the excessive‑use penalty. Commissioners discussed proportionality — whether a single therm of consumption triggers the distribution penalty and how the tariff’s 575‑therm threshold applies to large industrial customers. Several commissioners said the small proportion of usage in this event, combined with the company’s preparations and prompt corrective actions, weighed in favor of relief.

Members of American Sugar’s operations team described the cause as freezing of pneumatic lines on fan positioners in very low temperatures, an unforeseen problem that had not appeared in prior runs and that the company has since addressed by upgrading heat trace systems.

After discussion, the chair moved to grant a waiver of the assessed penalty. Commissioners recorded unanimous votes in favor. The commission’s order grants the waiver and staff will document the finding that, on the record before the commission, American Sugar demonstrated good‑faith efforts and initiated corrective and preventive measures.","The Public Service Commission granted American Sugar Refining Inc. a full waiver of a roughly $1.1 million distribution penalty assessed by BGE after members concluded the company made good‑faith efforts and that the usage was minimal relative to its typical demand.",{"_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},6482160,"Potomac Edison school‑bus vehicle‑to‑grid pilot discussion deferred for a written order",662,2234000,2896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711835-6f6cd8aabeec0497b007b5c65dc3024e&start=2234&end=2896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711835-6f6cd8aabeec0497b007b5c65dc3024e/thumbnail_2234000.jpg","/articles/6482160/Maryland/Potomac-Edison-schoolbus-vehicletogrid-pilot-discussion-deferred-for-a-written-order","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6482160-97c51c4a1adf76f9c7bbae1748e6e0c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770486986&Signature=HTU6htI46s1RbrmRmIDfRW-vZUk-s5dC7nV9ZCNRgtliQazUKdpQfePBypsXTULtlYaAITpZplDPgj9~3YouLaZ6~ENB86-GXe1XODNM6VfZSGMOaNeS6FhaYkExV-MltzPkpPOSb5BUDt3~s1bD3CrzMmQMJIklgWsf1c8iqmQA8c1m3YeXGBv3YdlFwLLPUyCn79W1fxBjnUFtWB9THNZhRjDAdO4DQnK3KYBGMt8ZMqa9gt6cGBCsFMGdK87PeMcVkTS71XnUGKHgmCgNyTlS3llLxhMnlWCLUYsWgfOQJQ31iy3XybUPtVR8mWY3k5JrzDsUwtKCCIPyvATEEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Service Commission on Sept. 3 took under advisement Potomac Edison’s implementation plan for a vehicle‑to‑grid electric school bus pilot and said staff will issue a written order specifying evaluation metrics and reporting requirements.

Michael Spiegelman, commission staff, described the filing as Potomac Edison’s implementation plan for the pilot required by commission order in case work on the docket. The filing included proposed tariff pages, a budget, site‑selection plans and program evaluation language.

Isaac Lindenbaum, representing the Office of People's Counsel (OPC), told commissioners that the company’s implementation plan identified the pilot’s primary goal as assessing vehicle‑to‑grid dispatch to provide distribution system relief but did not include evaluation metrics tied to that goal. Lindenbaum urged the commission to require metrics that would allow the pilot to demonstrate whether the goal is achieved.

Jessica Grama, Potomac Edison counsel, said the company had proposed metrics and discussed them with parties during multiple meetings. She objected to OPC’s late filing of two additional metrics and proposed tweaks to make the metrics more meaningful and practicable. \"We suggested providing circuit peaks for event days versus a counterfactual because historical peaks over an entire year are not an apples‑to‑apples comparison,\" Grama said. She added that the company could provide data only for circuits with supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems and that installing SCADA for the pilot was outside the pilot’s budget.

Mark Zuka, chief technical witness for Potomac Edison, said the company expects to have SCADA on roughly two‑thirds to three‑quarters of its circuits and that providing a year’s worth of daily load shapes would produce a very large and difficult‑to‑present dataset.

Commissioners pressed Potomac Edison and OPC on the tradeoffs between comprehensive year‑long data and more targeted comparisons such as event day data and adjacent non‑event days. Staff said it was in general agreement with Potomac Edison’s proposal. The commission chair concluded that the record needed a clearer, written articulation of the precise metrics and ordered staff to prepare a written order; the item was taken under advisement and deferred to that written order.

The commission did not vote to approve the pilot at the administrative meeting; instead, it requested a written order that will specify evaluation metrics and the scope of required circuit‑level data. Staff said the company and OPC should provide a written version of their compromise proposal for inclusion in the order.

Commissioners and parties acknowledged the pilot’s goal of assessing distribution‑level relief from vehicle‑to‑grid operations but emphasized limitations: SCADA availability will limit the set of circuits for which the company can provide detailed load‑shape data, and installation of missing SCADA was not proposed as part of the pilot budget.

Potomac Edison’s counsel said the requested additions to the metrics would not impact the pilot budget if the commission adopted OPC’s recommendations as modified by the company; OPC said consecutive‑day comparisons would be an acceptable compromise to a full year of data. Staff and the company will submit the agreed language for the commission’s written order.

The commission did not set a public date for the written order at the meeting; staff said it will issue the order relatively soon and that the commission would be precise in directing what data and metrics are required.","Commissioners debated evaluation metrics for Potomac Edison's vehicle‑to‑grid electric school bus pilot and agreed to take the matter under advisement to issue a precise written order.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public Service Commission approves debt authorizations, project extensions and several energy-allocation requests

Commission grants full waiver of BGE penalty to American Sugar after debate over good‑faith efforts

Potomac Edison school‑bus vehicle‑to‑grid pilot discussion deferred for a written order