Baltimore Gas & Electric to Resume Service Shutoffs after Moratorium

Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) announced it will resume residential service shutoffs this week, ending a temporary moratorium imposed by the Maryland Public Service Commission after numerous consumer complaints. Regulators lifted the pause after finding that BGE reduced average call wait times from over four hours to about two minutes and added staff to handle billing inquiries.

The utility is notifying customers that standard collection activities, including payment reminders and shutoff notices, will restart. BGE will not immediately disconnect accounts of low‑income customers or those with medical protections, with outreach to these groups slated to begin on July 15.

In May, BGE reported roughly 290,000 customers behind on bills, owing a total of $224 million, with the average past‑due balance rising 42% to $774 since the moratorium began. Consumer advocates warn the reinstated shutoffs could spark another surge in calls. State regulators will continue monitoring the utility’s call‑center performance, and a new program slated for Jan. 1 will cap utility costs for eligible low‑income households at 6% of their income. BGE urges struggling customers to contact the company before reaching the shutoff stage.