Energy companies gear up for fight on electric regulation bill

As top lawmakers move to strengthen consumer protections for utility customers who shop for electricity suppliers, large national energy companies are countering with a poll showing an overwhelming majority of voters want to retain robust competition in the marketplace. They are also charging that the proposed legislation would decimate the state’s 25-year-old competitive marketplace for electricity suppliers. And they’re arguing that recent controversy over Baltimore Gas & Electric rate increases illustrates the need for more checks on the utility companies.