Reducing the juice

Many are resigned to 72% rise in rates, while others fear they’re unaffordable

With a 72 percent electricity price increase from Baltimore Gas and Electric a few months away, Scott Sweeney is preparing the same way as many Marylanders: by doing nothing.

“I’m taking a sit back, wait-and-see attitude,” he said. “I know it’s coming, but I’m not going to worry too much about it until it hits me.”

But even then, with an annual bill estimated to be $743 higher on average than usual, the radio station advertising salesman doubts he will change his habits much. “As consumers, it just sounds like there’s really nothing we can do about it,” Sweeney said.

Through deregulation, various states are ushering in a new era of electricity meant to lower prices, lead to more energy production and give the public a choice in power suppliers. But results thus far have been mixed, often characterized by price spikes and power shortages. Most of the competitors who stepped forward to challenge in-place utilities eventually went out of business.

Balitmore Sun