Why It Matters
Baltimore Gas & Electric’s resumption of power shut-offs for delinquent residential customers this summer marks a shift in collection enforcement after a six-month pause. The restart comes as customer debt has surged significantly, raising questions about affordability and utility service access for vulnerable households across Maryland’s largest utility territory.
What Happened
BGE notified customers this week that it will resume disconnecting power to households with overdue bills, with terminations beginning after July 15. The utility had suspended shut-offs in December 2024 following widespread call center failures that prevented customers from accessing payment assistance, budget billing options, and energy relief programs.
The Maryland Public Service Commission lifted its pause on collections and terminations effective July 15 after determining that BGE had addressed the underlying customer service deficiencies. The utility is now proactively contacting delinquent customers by phone to offer payment arrangements and information about energy assistance before notices arrive in the mail.
State rules protect customers from disconnection if forecasters predict temperatures reaching 95 degrees or a sustained heat index of 95 degrees or higher within the following 72 hours, creating a weather-based safeguard during summer months.
By the Numbers
6 months — duration of the shut-off hiatus
$44.6 million — customer debt owed to BGE in March 2019
$224.2 million — customer debt owed to BGE in March 2026
1.3 million — BGE electric customers
700,000 — BGE gas customers
30% — percentage of eligible households that applied for energy assistance grants in 2025
6% — target percentage of annual household income for low-income customer bills under new rate structure
3 years — duration BGE must report call center performance metrics
Zoom Out
BGE’s debt burden has grown substantially in recent years, with customer obligations rising from $44.6 million in early 2019 to $224.2 million by early 2026. This fivefold increase reflects broader economic pressures on utility customers nationwide, particularly lower-income households struggling to meet rising energy costs.
Maryland lawmakers have moved to address affordability concerns through new rate structures. A separate rate for low-income customers takes effect in January 2027, designed to cap bills at 6 percent of annual household income. Additionally, recent energy legislation is projected to deliver $150 in minimum annual savings to Maryland ratepayers through efficiency measures and reduced regulatory costs.
The disconnect between available assistance and enrollment remains significant. Only about 30 percent of eligible households applied for state energy assistance grants during 2025, suggesting awareness or access barriers limit the reach of existing relief programs.
What’s Next
BGE will begin power terminations after July 15, with the utility required to file quarterly reports on call center performance for the next three years. The Maryland Energy Advocates Coalition has raised concerns about the timing of mid-July shut-offs, particularly for seniors and fixed-income households. Consumer advocates indicated they would not oppose resumption if the utility maintained transparent reporting and the start date remained after July 15—conditions the PSC has imposed on BGE’s renewed enforcement authority.
Whether the low-income rate structure and continued energy assistance programs can meaningfully reduce future debt accumulation will be closely watched as the state works to balance utility revenue collection with residential affordability.