OPC Works for You

Why is my summer bill so high?

If you’ve had sticker shock from your recent utility bill, you are not alone. Your energy bill is going up mostly because the costs your utility charges to deliver gas and electricity to your home have been rising significantly in recent years.  Excessive cold or hot temperatures also drive up your bill because you use more energy to heat or cool your home.

Read more about why your bill is so high.

Why is my summer BGE bill so high?
Why is my summer Delmarva Power so high?
Why is my summer Pepco bill so high?

Visit our "Utility Rates and Basics" page for more information on rates and for links to information on rates and bills for Maryland's largest electric and gas utilities.

BGE's 2026 request for an increase to its electric distribution rates

On July 6, 2026, BGE filed its most recent electric rate case, proposing to collect an additional $156.1 million from customers, increasing distribution rates for residential electric customers by roughly 17 percent from 4.9 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to 5.8 cents per kWh. This increase includes the “reconciliation” charge that was authorized by the PSC in 2025 and lasts through December 2027. BGE is not currently requesting to increase its distribution rate for gas. 

If BGE’s increase is approved, its electric distribution rates will have increased by 58 percent since 2020 and 129 percent since Illinois-based Exelon Corp. acquired BGE in 2012—significantly outpacing inflation. 

OPC's “Consumer’s Guide to BGE’s Proposed Electric Rate Increase” identifies how rates have changed over time, the categories of costs at issue in the rate case, the average residential customer bill impact, how utilities generate profits, and how customers can get involved.

On September 22, 2026, OPC filed expert witness testimony recommending that the PSC reject BGE’s request for a $156.1 million increase to its electric distribution rates and instead reduce rates by $43.9 million. 

Read more about BGE’s request and OPC’s recommendations:

BGE’s proposal would increase distribution rates by 17 percent, OPC Consumer’s Guide explains (9/1/26)

Regulators should lower BGE’s rates by $43.9 million instead of raising them, OPC tells regulators (9/24/26)

BGE’s proposed prepaid service would create new risks for vulnerable customers, OPC warns regulators (9/24/26)

Utility Wise: Energy answers in 30 minutes or less

Take just 15–30 minutes to get more informed about your energy use. Our live, expert-led webinars are short, informative, and designed with you in mind. Get clear answers to your questions. Each session is hosted by our Director of Consumer Assistance along with a subject expert.

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Future of gas  

Maryland’s gas utilities continue to invest hundreds of millions of dollars each year in long-lived gas infrastructure—the pipes, concrete, and other infrastructure that make up the local distribution system—despite changing patterns of household gas consumption and lower-cost alternatives. Across multiple Public Service Commission proceedings, OPC is advocating to keep residential rates as low as possible while maintaining safe and reliable gas service. Recent updates include:

• ► OPC recently filed testimony in the Future of Gas (FOG) docket, a case the PSC created in response to OPC’s February 2023 petition to launch a proceeding on long-term gas system planning. Evidentiary hearings will take place in August, and the public will have the opportunity to file comments by Sept. 28, 2026;
   
• ► OPC is appealing the PSC’s decision to allow Washington Gas to proceed with costly gas replacement projects under the STRIDE statute without first determining whether the company complied with the requirements of the 2025 Next Generation Energy Act (“NGEA”);  
   
• ► In May, the PSC hit pause on its plan to publish draft regulations that would have ended ratepayer subsidies for connecting new customers to the gas system. OPC has long advocated for that change and previously estimated that it would save customers $952 million over ten years.

Read more about gas utility spending and OPC’s analysis.