Maryland PSC approves multiple utility tariff updates; BGE expands EV time-of-use eligibility

The Maryland Public Service Commission on Jan. 22 approved multiple utility tariff filings and noted a transfer application, including changes that will affect customer billing and electric-vehicle (EV) programs.

The commission voted unanimously to note a joint application regarding the transfer of indirect control of Quantum Shift Communications Inc. to AppSmart TGN Inc., and it approved several tariff filings from Potomac Electric Power Company, Delmarva Power & Light Company and Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE). Most approvals carry an effective date of Feb. 1, 2025; BGE’s EV time-of-use (TOU) expansion became effective Jan. 22, 2025 as adopted with non-substantive edits agreed among staff, the company and the Office of People's Counsel (OPC).

Key approvals and customer impacts

- BGE standby service (Rider 3 standby service): Staff said BGE proposed decreasing the standby-service price from 0.1769¢ per therm to 0.1668¢ per therm, a 5.7% reduction that staff estimated would average about $149.29 in monthly bill savings for affected large daily-meter commercial customers who elect standby service. Staff presenter Cameron Walton described standby service as the company standing ready to deliver gas if a supplier fails to deliver.

- BGE Rider 7 (Gas Choice and Reliability Charges): Staff presenter Alden Manka said the filing revises three factors that make up the rider — system growth capacity costs, gas-choice program costs and provider-of-last-resort polar capacity costs. Manka said system growth capacity costs rise from negative $0.0001 per therm to $0.0053 per therm (about $0.30/month for an average residential customer), and the polar third-party supplier charge moves from negative $0.0147 per therm to $0.0553 per therm, driven by an increase in estimated polar capacity.

- Potomac Electric Power Co., Delmarva Power & Light Co., and BGE SOS/energy tariffs: The commission accepted revised tariff pages for updates to standard-offer-service administrative charges, time-of-use energy rates and February 2025 administrative charges for the utilities; staff recommended acceptance and the commission voted to file the tariff provisions effective Feb. 1, 2025.

- BGE EV time-of-use expansion (VCTOU rider): BGE asked to lift prior eligibility restrictions so net-metering, multiple-premise and budget-billing customers can enroll in its EV TOU program. Staff said system billing limitations have been addressed and recommended approval. Staff noted the on-peak rate is 10¢ per kilowatt-hour and the off-peak credit is 3¢ per kilowatt-hour; one commenter had said the off-peak credit looked small relative to the on-peak premium, a calculation staff said was incorrect. OPC supported approval and proposed two non-substantive edits that the company agreed to: (1) clarify that customers with an eligible Level 2 EV charger or eligible vehicles with telematics may enroll; and (2) clarify that customers must submit two enrollment applications — one through BGE’s website and a second through the VCTOU program vendor. BGE said about 3,000 customers currently are on the time-of-use rate and staff noted more than 4,200 net-metering customers in BGE territory already own EVs.

Votes at a glance

- Item 2 — Note joint application (Quantum Shift / AppSmart): Approved, 4–0 (Chair Hoover and Commissioners Sushman, Barbay and Richard voted aye). - Item 3 — Potomac Electric Power Co. revised tariff pages (SOS administrative charges): Approved, 4–0; effective Feb. 1, 2025. - Item 4 — Delmarva Power & Light revised tariff pages (SOS administrative charges): Approved, 4–0; effective Feb. 1, 2025. - Item 5 — Baltimore Gas & Electric revised tariff pages (time-of-use, SOS energy rates, administrative charges): Approved, 4–0; effective Feb. 1, 2025. - Item 6 — BGE Rider 3 standby service price update (decrease to 0.1668¢/therm): Approved, 4–0; effective with February 2025 billings. - Item 7 — BGE Rider 7 gas choice and reliability charges (updates described above): Approved, 4–0; effective with February 2025 billings. - Item 8 — BGE EV time-of-use eligibility expansion (VCTOU rider), approved as amended with OPC edits: Approved, 4–0; effective Jan. 22, 2025.

Commissioners and staff framed the approvals as reallocations and clarifications rather than new revenue mechanisms. BGE representatives said the filings allocate existing costs between shopping and non-shopping customers rather than increasing company profits, and BGE described a targeted marketing plan to inform newly eligible customers (net-metering, multiple-premise and budget-billing accounts) once the tariff is approved.

The commission adjourned after completing the administrative agenda.