Latest news with #Alexopulos
CBS News
23-04-2025
- General
- CBS News
Baltimore County residents pushing back against more power lines after power plant closes
Residents in a Baltimore County community are fighting back against more power lines in their community following the closure of a nearby power plant. However, Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) says it's the only way to continue to supply power to the area. The Brandon Shores Power Plant in Anne Arundel County, which is owned by Talen Energy, is closing down, leaving BGE to plan how to service residents in the area. BGE spokesperson Nick Alexopolus said the Brandon Shores Retirement Mitigation Project would connect transmission lines using space where lines already exist to link Anne Arundel, Harford, and Baltimore counties to another powerplant in Pennsylvania. "The bottom line is, this project is absolutely vital and absolutely necessary for the systemwide reliability of our region," Alexopulos said. A judge with the Public Service Commission is considering both sides of the issue, and will make a final decision soon. Safety concerns of power lines Residents in those communities are worried about the potential impacts it could cause, which is why they've created the group, "No More Power Lines." "Now they want to add 12 more of these high voltage, 230,000-volt industrial power lines coming through a residential community, coming within feet of windows where little children sleep," said John Von Paris, a Kingsville resident who already has power lines throughout his backyard. "The electromagnetic radiation that comes off of these poles is very concerning." Some studies suggest that EMF could be linked to childhood cancer and other health concerns, although according to the National Cancer Institute, it has not yet been definitively proven. Rachel Ullmann, who is also a member of "No More Power Lines," has other safety concerns. "I'm very concerned about the risk of wildfires, especially since the line runs through the Gunpowder Falls State Park," Ullmann said. "My house is within 100 feet of the park, and I can't do anything to stop a wildfire once it starts." Residents ask BGE for alternate options Community members say they are not willing to take these risks, adding they want to explore a different option by building the lines underground. Alexopulos says that option is 5 to 10 times more expensive and would have more of a significant environmental impact. Baltimore County Councilman David Marks, who also lives in Kingsville, says he wants to see more of an effort from BGE to find middle ground with the residents. "The county council, twice now in a unanimous and bipartisan vote, has asked for them to try to set some better conditions, and we don't see any action from those who want this project," Marks said.
CBS News
10-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
BGE customer saw lowest number of service interruptions in history in 2024
BGE says its customers experienced the fewest electric service interruptions in company history in 2024, the company said Monday. The average customer experienced just 0.63 interruptions in 2024, the lowest rate on record, BGE said. Since 2011, the company has reduced the number of electric outages by 45 percent and outage duration by 58 percent. During a windstorm on February 16, BGE said it restored 100,0000 out of 130,000 customers who had lost power. 56 hours after the storm, 99% of outages had been restored. Smart grid technologies prevented an additional 230,000 potential outages during that event, BGE said. BGE said it's infrastructure investments align with Maryland's goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2045, which will require increased electrification. The company is installing smart automation equipment, replacing outdated technologies to accommodate solar energy and electric vehicle charging, and conducting vegetation management to protect power lines. BGE and rate hikes BGE rate hikes have been a recent complaint among customers in the Baltimore area, with some Baltimore City residents noting monthly increases of more than $200. Last month, the Baltimore City Council passed a resolution last month urging the Maryland Public Service Commission (MPSC) to halt BGE's planned 2026 utility rate hikes. BGE spokesperson Nick Alexopulos attributed rising costs to multiple factors, including increased usage from colder weather, and a 30% spike in natural gas prices. The company also raised its distribution rates by 9% for gas and 7% for electricity, changes approved by state regulators. BGE said its improvements support Maryland's goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2045, though the state's "Empower Maryland" energy efficiency program has also contributed to higher bills - according to Alexopulos.
