Legislation worth letters of support

Editor,

Did you know that, currently, the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) is not required to conduct an analysis of the full costs and benefits of the various sources of electricity generation in the state?  The PSC is the independent administrative agency that regulates the public utilities in Maryland.

As such, shouldn’t one of its main responsibilities be to recommend policy changes to support the development of energy sources based on the lowest cost and greatest benefit to the ratepayers?

It would seem that the PSC would not be able to make these recommendations without conducting the aforesaid cost and benefit analyses.  I just learned that Maryland is currently importing more than 40% of its electricity, which certainly contributes to rising electricity costs impacting Maryland families and businesses.  Another contributing factor is that since 2018 over 6,000 MW of electricity generation in Maryland has been retired while only 1,600 MW in new electricity generation has been added.

There is a bill before the Maryland Legislature (Senate Bill 270 and House Bill 674) that will require the PSC to conduct a full cost and benefit analysis of electricity generation.

If you agree with this bill, you can show support for its passage by contacting the members of the Senate Education, Energy and Environment Committee and asking them for a favorable report.  You can also contact the members of the House Environment and Transportation Committee and ask them for a favorable report.

Please take action to protect your pocketbook.

Carol Frazier
Ocean Pines