Customers should not be forced to subsidize their utilities’ political influence spending

If we disagree with the contributions and political activities our bank or grocery store make, then we have the freedom to shop and do business with other companies. That’s not the case with our energy providers operating under state-granted monopolies, facing no competition for their services. In exchange for the monopolies, utilities have to submit to regulation by the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC), which determines how much utilities are able to charge customers and how they can spend that money.