Maryland Public Service Commission cites staffing gaps and rising arrearages as electricity, gas prices climb

The Public Service Commission’s operating allowance for fiscal 2026 rises by $1.6 million, but agency leaders told the House Appropriations Committee Transportation and the Environment Subcommittee that staffing shortages, a backlog of data on residential terminations and arrearages, and implementation of new rules for retail energy suppliers are pressing concerns.

Legislative analyst: The Department of Legislative Services reported that the PSC’s fiscal 2026 operating budget totals $30.2 million, a 5.5% increase from the prior year. Personnel expenses are the largest share, about $23.9 million (79% of the allowance), and the allowance adds funding to support 10 new regular positions. The analyst noted that “as of December 31, 2024, 33 positions were vacant,” and that four of those vacancies had persisted more than a year; 17 vacancies reflect positions created in fiscal 2025 that had not yet been filled.

Why it matters: The PSC regulates utility distribution and customer protections in Maryland. Commissioners and legislators said prolonged vacancies and delayed data reporting limit the agency’s ability to monitor utility…