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St. Mary's County commissioners authorize comments opposing Washington Gas rate request
Summary
The board voted May 12 to authorize the commissioner president to file written comments opposing Washington Gas & Light Company's $82.5 million rate increase request in PSC Case No. 9849; comments are due June 1 and staff will report fiscal effects in August.
On May 12, 2026, the St. Mary's County Board of Commissioners authorized the commissioner president to sign and file written comments with the Maryland Public Service Commission opposing Washington Gas & Light Company's application seeking $82.5 million in additional annual revenue.
John Norris, director of Public Works and Transportation, told commissioners the company asked for a 10.85% return on equity and an overall weighted cost of capital of 8.07. He said the filing frames $67.1 million of the request as replacement of aging infrastructure under the STRIDE program and that the company seeks a 20% cap on commercial class distribution charges; the presentation estimated a roughly 5.3% impact on a typical residential bill if the case is approved as filed.
"We're asking that you oppose it as filed, recognizing every business has a right to just and reasonable compensation," Norris said, adding that the Office of People's Counsel, Montgomery County and other stakeholders have already filed critical comments in the case. He urged the board to authorize staff to file comments by the PSC deadline, June 1, and to report back in August with any fiscal impact on county budgets.
Commissioners asked about the drivers of the request and whether the STRIDE infrastructure program or expansion plans were included in the rate request. Norris said much of the dollar amount is described as replacement of aging pipeline and that the company has historically requested amounts larger than approved by the PSC; past cases scaled requests downward. He also noted the county does not know the exact number of commercial or residential Washington Gas customers within St. Mary's County because the utility reports statewide totals.
The board approved the motion to authorize the commissioner president to sign the draft letter and to direct staff to file comments on or before June 1, 2026. County staff estimated the total direct and indirect annual impact to county operations could exceed $31,000 under one scenario, and said the county will quantify a final fiscal impact after the PSC issues its decision.
