December 4th, 2024 by WCBC Radio

Citing rising competition from electric technologies as well as Maryland’s own climate policy, the Office of the People’s Council is asking the Public Service Commission to reject a request for Columbia Gas to expand its costly replacement program.  The OPC says the utility has replaced almost its entire aging pipe, causing gas rates to more than triple over the past decade. New Columbia Gas proposals would delay further replacement of piping and instead add other types of investments for which they want accelerated cost recovery, meaning higher consumer rates.