Politics & Government

Testify About BGE's Reliability Tuesday

A bill requesting a new investigation into BGE is on tonight's public hearing agenda.

Howard County residents who believe that they are receiving unreliable service from BGE can testify Tuesday at the County Council's public hearing.

On the schedule for the hearing is CR134-2012 (PDF), a bill sponsored by Councilwoman Courtney Watson and co-sponsored by members Calvin Ball and Jennifer Terrasa.

The bill requests that the Public Service Commssion (PSC) investigate BGE's reliability into certain neighborhoods in Ellicott City and that the PSC require the utility to disclose outage information to county officials after 24 hours.

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Read full coverage of BGE reliability and the PSC investigations

The PSC is already investigating BGE's reliability in Font Hill, Dunloggin, Valley Mede and several nearby neighborhoods after resident Cathy Eshmont submitted a petition outlining what residents referred to as “chronic reliability problems.” 

Find out what's happening in Ellicott Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Watson's bill is an attempt to investigate "pockets" in Ellicott City where residents believe they, too, have reliability problems.

"Many people are suffering through repeated outages without realizing that there is an effort going on to help them,” Watson said late last month.

The hearing will take place Tuesday at the George Howard Building at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18. It will also be broadcast live online. Residents wishing to testify can sign up to speak or submit written testimony online.

Related articles:

- Facts, Opinion, Frustration at Hearing on BGE Reliability

- State Investigates BGE Reliability in Ellicott City 

- BGE CEO Suggests 'Selectivel' Burying Power Lines

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The headline of this article has been edited to indicate that the public hearing is Tuesday, Sept. 18.


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