SMECO Hearing on Rate Increase July 23
The Maryland Public Service Commission will hold a public comment hearing on the rate increase request filed in May 2024 by the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative. The utility’s customer-members and other interested parties are welcome to take part in the hearing before Public Utility Law Judge Christine L. Burke.
The hearing will be held at 7pm Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at SMECO’s headquarters at 15035 Burnt Store Road in Hughesville.
The hearing will also have a virtual option for those unable to attend in person.
To participate virtually, sign up in advance to speak by sending an email to [email protected] by noon July 22. For those who just want to watch the hearing, visit the Public Utility Law Judge’s YouTube channel here.
According to SMECO’s application, the company proposes a rate increase of $37.9 million, which SMECO states would result in an approximately 11% overall bill increase for the average customer-member. SMECO serves approximately 176,000 residential, commercial and industrial customer-members in Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, and St. Mary’s counties.
The commission will also accept written comments (until August 2, 2024) which can be sent by mail or submitted electronically at https://www.psc.state.md.us/make-a-public-comment/.
Comments sent by mail should be addressed to: Jamie Bergin, Chief Clerk, Maryland Public Service Commission, William Donald Schaefer Tower, 6 St. Paul St., 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202. So that they are noted in the proper case file, all comments should reference Case No. 9738.
SMECO – The Cooperative Difference
SMECO was incorporated in 1937 and is one of the 15 largest electric cooperatives in the United States with more than 170,000 member accounts in Charles County, St. Mary’s County, southern Prince George’s County, and most of Calvert County.
Electric cooperatives are shaped by the communities they serve, because co-ops are owned by their customers. Co-op members elect the men and women who serve on the Board of Directors. Members share the responsibility of ownership by financing the cooperative’s operations, but they also share its rewards.
At the end of each year, SMECO’s margins (profits) are allocated to members’ capital credit accounts. SMECO uses its profits to invest in new construction, system improvements, and facility upgrades. The Board of Directors regularly evaluates the financial condition of the co-op and determines when members will receive a refund. Since 1937, SMECO has refunded more than $128 million.
As a cooperative, SMECO will always put its members first and be responsive, reliable, and resourceful—the power you can count on.
Follow SMECO on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SMECO.coop and on X at www.twitter.com/somdelectric.
The SMECO 24/7 mobile app is available at www.smeco.coop/247. To learn more about SMECO, please visit their Leader Member Page.
