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Council questions paused South Baltimore transmission project and PSC gas‑safety oversight
Summary
Council members and advocates asked why a proposed half‑billion‑dollar South Baltimore transmission line was needed, and pressed the Public Service Commission’s technical oversight after the PSC opened an investigation into BGE's gas inspection program.
Council members raised focused questions about a paused BGE transmission project in South Baltimore that was described at the hearing as costing more than half a billion dollars. Witnesses and council members said the company announced a pause to "deepen engagement" but that filings have not made clear what load growth or development the project would serve.
David Lap told the council that transmission investments on the peninsula have risen substantially in recent years (transcript referenced growth from roughly $105 million in 2019 to $407 million) and that some distribution and transmission investments fall into a regulatory gap lacking robust cost review. He said the council has filed a request with the Public Service Commission to investigate the need and transparency for those projects.
Union speakers said contractors were performing substation and transmission work and questioned whether those upgrades would benefit residential distribution or instead serve planned development. Lap and others noted that distribution‑level local projects are typically assigned 100% to BGE customers, meaning ratepayers bear the capital costs.
Council members also discussed a May 8, 2025 PSC investigation into BGE’s gas system safety inspection program, saying the PSC previously found gaps in compliance and verification. Lap described the PSC technical division as resource‑constrained and said parties are disputing the scope of the investigation between focusing on specific replacement work versus a broader review of BGE’s practices.
Council members closed the hearing urging residents to engage with the PSC and their state legislators on statutory fixes and review; no final city action or vote on the transmission project occurred during the hearing.
