Unnecessary gas investments set to raise rates; Maryland regulator must intervene

It’s time for a reality check in Maryland. The state’s gas utilities are making massive long-term investments in their gas delivery systems, even though gas use must decline rapidly to meet Maryland’s aggressive climate goals and electric technologies are outperforming fossil fuels. Ultimately, customers could be on the hook for these investments. Yet the Public Service Commission, which regulates the utilities, has taken no action to steer these companies in a different direction. The reality is that action is needed immediately to protect gas utility customers from looming massive rate increases and to meet Maryland’s climate goals.