BGE investment in natural gas, and accompanying rate increase, a hot mess

This week’s record-setting heat wave — with the potential for triple-digit high temperatures in Baltimore — would seem the perfect backdrop to ponder Baltimore Gas and Electric’s proposed three-year rate hike, which is projected to hit consumers by an average of $810 annually per household by 2026. Energy prices are rising generally, of course, but it’s fair to question the estimated $1.8 billion BGE intends to invest in natural gas and whether a multiyear approach to rate-setting is even appropriate.