Maryland Office of People's Counsel

06/12/2026

Did you know that up to 90% of the energy your washing machine uses goes solely toward heating the water?

Switching to cold water isn't just better for your favorite shirt; it’s a direct win for your wallet.

Most "hot water" cycles are an unnecessary expense. Switch to cold today and keep that extra cash for yourself.

Get more tips and sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/OPCnewsletters

06/12/2026

Is your natural gas bill on your mind? Washington Gas has proposed a rate increase, and now is the time to make your voice heard.
The Public Service Commission is holding an in-person public comment hearing, and they want to hear directly from you.

This is your opportunity to share how these changes affect your household.
• When: Monday June 22, 2026 @ 6:00 PM
• Where: Montgomery College, Rockville Campus, in the Technical Center, TC-136 Lecture Hall, located at 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville

If you would like to speak during the hearing, you must sign up in advance:
• Email: [email protected]
• Deadline: Friday, June 19, by 12:00 PM (Noon)

Unsure what to expect? If you’ve never been to a public hearing before, don't worry! Check out this guide on how to participate effectively: https://opc.maryland.gov/Consumer-Learning/Public-Participation/How-to-Participate-in-a-Public-Hearing

Don't miss your chance to weigh in on your utility rates.

06/12/2026

Have questions about how to read your utility bill? We will walk through utility bills line-by-line in these 30-minute information sessions, answering your questions along the way.

Sign up for these free webinars here: https://opc.maryland.gov/Consumer-Webinar-Sign-up

SMECO and Washington Gas: June 16 at 12 noon
Delmarva Power and Pepco: June 25 at 12 noon
BGE: July 21 at 12 noon
Potomac Edison and Columbia Gas: July 23 at 12 noon

Share this with your family and friends so they can be in the loop!

06/11/2026

A worthwhile read in Maryland Matters today: Maryland’s last coal plant likely to get another extension.

Maryland’s only remaining coal-fired power plant is likely to keep operating through mid-2031 — six years after it was set to close — although the plan technically still requires approval from federal regulators.

06/11/2026

Do you buy your electricity from one of these utilities? If so, your electricity price (Standard Offer Service or SOS) is about to change.

Learn what you have been paying versus the price you will be paying June-September 2026.

Learn more about SOS here https://opc.maryland.gov/Consumer-Learning/Electricity/Utility-Standard-Offer-Service-Rates

06/10/2026

Don’t fall victim to scammers!
A utility will never call or text you to demand your bank account information or try to have you pay by prepaid card or gift cards to avoid disconnection. Many times, the scammer will call or text you from a spoofed number and it will look like a local number.

If you are the victim of a scam, contact your utility, and if a money scam, also contact the police. Remember, once the scammer gets the money, there is no way to get it back. If you are concerned about your utility bill, call your utility directly.

Share this with your friends and family so they don’t fall victim to a scam.

06/09/2026

This cart is just a glimpse into our preparation for a rate case. Our team of attorneys is currently diving deep into these filings and representing residential interests against big utility companies to ensure that gas and electric customers aren't being overcharged.

This photo represents hours of technical analysis, legal research, and advocacy. We’re going through every single page of fine print and navigating the late nights because it’s worth it to ensure fair pricing for every household in our community.

We do the heavy lifting so you don't have to. Our mission is simple: representing your interests wherever utility decisions are made.

Stay connected to what we are working on and sign up for our press releases: https://bit.ly/OPCnewsletters