Public hearing on SMECO rate increase set

The Maryland Public Service Commission will hold a public comment hearing next week on the rate increase request filed in May by the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO). The utility’s customer-members and other interested parties are welcome to take part in the hearing before Public Utility Law Judge Christine L. Burke.

The hearing will take place on Tuesday, July 23, at 7 p.m. at SMECO's Headquarters, 15035 Burnt Store Road in Hughesville. The hearing will also have a virtual option for those unable to attend in person. To participate virtually, sign up in advance to speak by sending an email to psc.pulj@gmail.com by noon on July 22. For those who just want to watch the hearing, visit the Public Utility Law Judge's YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/2X6wLiP.

According to SMECO's application, the company proposes a rate increase of $37.9 million, which SMECO states would result in an approximately 11% overall bill increase for the average customer-member. SMECO serves approximately 176,000 residential, commercial and industrial customer-members in Calvert, Charles, Prince George's and St. Mary's counties.

The commission will also accept written comments until Aug. 2, which can be sent by mail or submitted electronically at www.psc.state.md.us/make-a-public-comment/.

Comments sent by mail should be addressed to: Jamie Bergin, Chief Clerk, Maryland Public Service Commission, William Donald Schaefer Tower, 6 St. Paul Street, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202. So that they are noted in the proper case file, all comments should reference Case No. 9738.