The STRIDE law allows utilities to include a monthly surcharge on customer bills to recover the estimated costs of such projects while the company is carrying them out. This gives the utility an easier and faster method of recovering its infrastructure costs from customers.
Utilities submit five-year infrastructure replacement plans to the Maryland Public Service Commission. After reviewing each plan’s proposed scope of work and anticipated budget, the Commission may approve the utility’s plan. Each year of the plan, the utility submits a proposed project list detailing the work they expect to complete over course of that year. The surcharge is updated annually to reflect based on the actual costs incurred by the utility.