Hagerstown Residents Face Potential Electric Rate Hikes; Public Input Hearing Scheduled

According to a municipal notice released by the City of Hagerstown, the Hagerstown Light Department (HLD) has filed an application with the Maryland Public Service Commission seeking authorization to increase the current rates charged for electric service. This significant proposal, formally known as Case No. 9836, could lead to increased utility costs for consumers across the Hagerstown area. The Public Service Commission has scheduled a virtual evening hearing to gather public comments regarding the HLD’s application, providing residents a key opportunity to voice concerns or support for the proposed changes.

The application pertains solely to the rates charged by the Hagerstown Light Department for electricity provided to its customer base. Should the Maryland Public Service Commission approve the request for increased authority, residents of Hagerstown should anticipate paying more for their essential electric services. While the exact scope and percentage of the requested increase were not detailed in the notice, the proceeding underscores a potential rise in monthly household expenditures for electricity. The Commission is required to hold public hearings to review the necessity and appropriateness of such rate adjustments, ensuring that the public has a voice in the regulatory process before a final decision is reached.

The public hearing dedicated to receiving comments on this matter is scheduled to take place virtually on Wednesday, January 14, 2025, starting at 6:00 p.m. This event will commence with a formal presentation delivered by representatives of the Hagerstown Light Department, detailing the rationale behind their rate increase application. Following the HLD’s initial statement, the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel (OPC) is slated to offer brief remarks. The hearing will then include statements from the Technical Staff assigned to the Commission, who have reviewed the financial and operational aspects of the HLD’s proposal.

Members of the public who wish to participate verbally in the virtual hearing must sign up in advance through the Maryland Public Service Commission’s official website by January 12, 2025. Detailed registration instructions are provided on the website under the “Featured Topics” section, directing users to the Public Comment Hearing Sign up process. Interested individuals must specifically reference Case No. 9836 during registration. The specific steps involve clicking on the relevant case number, selecting the 6:00 p.m. time slot, and then entering contact information, including name and email address, to schedule the event. Upon completion of the required sign-up process, participants will receive a Zoom link necessary to access the hearing and offer their comments.

For residents who wish to observe the proceedings without offering verbal testimony, the public hearing will be viewable exclusively online. The meeting will be live-streamed on the Public Utility Law Judge Division’s official YouTube Channel. This viewing option allows the community to follow the discussions and presentations from the HLD, the OPC, and the Commission staff, ensuring transparency in the decision-making process concerning local utility costs.

Beyond verbal participation during the virtual hearing, residents have the option to submit formal written comments for consideration by the Maryland Public Service Commission. The deadline for submitting these written statements is also Wednesday, January 14, 2025. Electronic submissions are encouraged and must be facilitated through the Commission’s Public Comment Dropbox, accessible via the Commission’s website. Submitting comments electronically requires users to follow specific instructions located under the “Tools” section of the website, specifically under the “Make a Public Comment” tab. Individuals using the electronic dropbox system must complete a one-time registration process before submitting their feedback.

Alternatively, comments may be submitted via traditional first-class mail. Mailed correspondence must be addressed to Jamie Bergin, the Chief Clerk of the Maryland Public Service Commission, at the William Donald Schaefer Tower, 6 St. Paul Street, 16th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. Only a single copy of the written statement is required. Crucially, whether submitting comments electronically or by mail, all correspondence must clearly include a reference to Case No. 9836 to ensure the feedback is correctly associated with the Hagerstown Light Department’s rate increase application. As this decision directly affects the cost of living and operations for every household and business served by the Hagerstown Light Department, community members are strongly encouraged to utilize these avenues to provide their input to the Commission before the established deadline.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the City of Hagerstown – Municipal

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