Baltimore

Constellation Energy subsidiary Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. (BGE) has filed a comprehensive rate stabilization plan with the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) that would allow BGE’s residential electric customers to reduce and defer a pending July 1 rate increase.

Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corp. said it executed precedent agreements for the Potomac Expansion Project with Washington Gas Light Co., Baltimore Gas and Electric and Columbia Gas of Virginia to transport a total of 165,000 Dth/d of gas from receipt points with Pine Needle LNG and East Tennessee Natural Gas in North Carolina to delivery points in Northern Virginia and Maryland beginning as early as November 2007.

Baltimore Gas and Electric (BG&E) anticipates winter gas heating bills will be “comparable” to last year because of expected milder weather based on forecasts by the National Weather Service. The weather is expected to translate into decreased demand, which should help keep bills in line despite an estimated 15% rise in natural gas costs, the utility said.

Baltimore Gas and Electric (BG&E) anticipates winter gas heating bills will be “comparable” to last year because of expected milder weather based on forecasts by the National Weather Service. The weather is expected to translate into decreased demand, which should help keep bills in line despite an estimated 15% rise in natural gas costs, the utility said.

AES NewEnergy has been selected by Lockheed Martin Corp. as Lockheed’s supplier for its Middle River facility located in Baltimore. The 10-month contract to serve the facility’s full electricity requirements will start next month and AES NewEnergy is also working with Lockheed to reduce its energy costs while enhancing the PJM Interconnection’s reliability under AES NewEnergy’s voluntary ISO profit program. “Lockheed Martin is a nationally recognized leader in their industry, and we look forward to partnering with them to control their energy costs,” said Edward Toppi, vice-president of AES NewEnergy, which is a subsidiary of AES Corp.

According to a stipulation and agreement between the Maryland Office of the People’s Counsel and Baltimore Gas & Electric, BGE must change its gas purchasing practices and buy between 10% and 20% of its winter gas supply under fixed-price agreements. The settlement was filed with the Maryland Public Service Commission this week. The switch to fixed-price contracts was a revision to BGE’s market gas commodity price procedure, which establishes the commodity portion of retail gas prices. BGE sets commodity prices based on monthly reported gas prices in spot markets. Under the agreement, BGE will buy 10-20% of its winter supplies between April and September under fixed-price deals. Gas purchased under the fixed price agreements will not be subject to sharing mechanisms or prudence reviews. “The volatility of natural gas spot prices hurt residential customers in Maryland this past winter,” said Peoples Counsel Michael J. Travieso. “This settlement will bring some diversity to BGE’s supply portfolio and help moderate the effects of unstable spot prices on consumer bills. Customers will benefit from more predictable gas costs.” The settlement also reduces what consumers must pay for BGE to reserve future gas supplies from $1.625 per year to $300,000.

As the moratorium on utility service terminations for low-income customers came to an end, Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) vowed that its customers can expect additional assistance from the utility to keep their service on. The Maryland Public Service Commission’s winter service protection was lifted on March 31, BGE said it will continue to work with customers after the deadline “We know the end of the moratorium might cause more concern for our customers already in a difficult situation,” says Frank O. Heintz, president of BGE. “We want these customers to know we will remain flexible in helping them find the best solution for their circumstances.” Customers having trouble handling their winter utility bill should call BGE at 410-685-0123.

Columbia Energy Group has entered into an agreement with OrionPower Holdings of Baltimore, MD, to sell all of the outstandingshares of its subsidiary Columbia Electric Corp. for $200 millionin cash plus the assumption of project-related debt. Included inthe deal is 4,000 MW of capacity in construction and developmentphases.

Columbia Energy Group has entered into an agreement with Orion Power Holdings of Baltimore, MD, to sell all of the outstanding shares of its subsidiary Columbia Electric Corp. for approximately $200 million in cash plus the assumption of project-related debt. Included in the deal is 4,000 MW of capacity in construction and development phases.