The Maryland Public Service Commission is set to conduct a public comment hearing concerning a proposed rate increase by the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO). The session is scheduled for July 23, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the SMECO Headquarters in Hughesville, with options available for both in-person and virtual attendance.
This hearing stems from a request filed by SMECO in May 2024, seeking an approval for a $37.9 million rate hike. If sanctioned, this increase would elevate the average bill for SMECO’s customer members by approximately 11%. The cooperative provides electrical services to around 176,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customer-members across Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, and St. Mary’s counties.
Public Utility Law Judge Christine L. Burke will oversee the proceedings. Interested parties who wish to voice their opinions are encouraged to register in advance for the virtual session by emailing psc.pulj@gmail.com by noon on July 22. Additionally, the hearing will be live-streamed on the Judge’s YouTube channel for those who prefer to watch the proceedings online.
Beyond the hearing, the Commission has opened a window for written comments, which will be accepted until August 2, 2024. These submissions can be made either by mail or electronically. All mailed comments should be directed to Jamie Bergin, Chief Clerk, at the Maryland Public Service Commission’s office in Baltimore and must reference Case No. 9738 to ensure proper handling.
This public input phase is part of the Commission’s broader evaluation process, aimed at determining the fairness and necessity of the proposed rate adjustments. The outcome will significantly impact SMECO’s service area, affecting numerous households and businesses.
