Maryland Public Service Commission

The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) is an independent state agency that regulates public utilities and certain transportation companies. ^[1][1] Maryland Public Service Commission. "About - Maryland Public Service Commission." pscmaryland.com, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://www.pscmaryland.com/about/. Its legal mandate includes overseeing electric, gas, water, and sewage disposal companies to ensure safe and reliable service. ^[2][2] Maryland Public Service Commission. "What We Regulate." psc.state.md.us, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://www.psc.state.md.us/. The PSC also regulates telecommunications, common carriers like buses and taxicabs, and fees for vessel pilotage. ^[3][3] Maryland State Archives. "Maryland Public Service Commission - Origin & Functions." maryland.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/25gic/html/62pubf.html. The Governor appoints the five commissioners to five-year staggered terms with Senate confirmation. ^[4][4] Maryland State Archives. "Getting to Know the PSC." maryland.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/25gic/html/62pub.html. For fiscal year 2026, the agency operates with a $30.2 million budget and 175 regular positions. ^[10][10] Maryland Department of Legislative Services. "2026FY - Operating Budget Analysis - C90G00 - Public Service Commission." maryland.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/. The commission holds weekly administrative meetings every Wednesday to review utility applications and consumer matters. ^[4][4] Maryland State Archives. "Getting to Know the PSC." maryland.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/25gic/html/62pub.html.

Historical Background

The Maryland General Assembly created the Public Service Commission in 1910 through Chapter 180 of the Acts of 1910. ^[1][1] Maryland Public Service Commission. "About - Maryland Public Service Commission." pscmaryland.com, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://www.pscmaryland.com/about/. It was established to regulate utility rates and ensure quality service during a period of expanding industrial infrastructure. ^[3][3] Maryland State Archives. "Maryland Public Service Commission - Origin & Functions." maryland.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/25gic/html/62pubf.html. A major structural shift occurred in 1999 when the Electric Customer Choice and Competition Act deregulated electric generation. ^[5][5] Wikipedia. "Maryland Public Service Commission." wikipedia.org, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryland_Public_Service_Commission. This law limited the PSC to regulating distribution rates while allowing market forces to determine supply prices. ^[11][11] Maryland Court of Special Appeals. "NRG Energy, Inc., et al. v. Maryland Public Service Commission." mdcourts.gov, 30 September 2021, https://www.mdcourts.gov/. In 2006, a significant political controversy led the state legislature to vote to disband the entire commission. ^[6][6] University of Florida Public Utility Research Center. "Disbanding the Maryland Public Service Commission." ufl.edu, 2 July 2006, https://purc.ufl.edu/. Lawmakers sought more consumer-friendly members after a massive 72 percent rate increase by Baltimore Gas and Electric. ^[6][6] University of Florida Public Utility Research Center. "Disbanding the Maryland Public Service Commission." ufl.edu, 2 July 2006, https://purc.ufl.edu/.

Current Events

Between January and March 2026, the commission addressed high-profile utility rate cases and legislative reforms. On January 12, 2026, Kumar Barve began a new term as Chair of the commission. ^[5][5] Wikipedia. "Maryland Public Service Commission." wikipedia.org, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryland_Public_Service_Commission. The PSC held virtual public hearings on March 24, 2026, regarding a proposed $82.5 million revenue increase for Washington Gas Light. ^[7][7] Southern Maryland News Net. "Maryland Public Service Commission Holding Two Public Hearings for Input on Washington Gas Light's Proposal to Increase Gas Distribution Rates." smnewsnet.com, 11 March 2026, https://smnewsnet.com/. This proposal would raise average residential bills by approximately 5.3 percent. ^[7][7] Southern Maryland News Net. "Maryland Public Service Commission Holding Two Public Hearings for Input on Washington Gas Light's Proposal to Increase Gas Distribution Rates." smnewsnet.com, 11 March 2026, https://smnewsnet.com/. Legislators in March 2026 also advanced the SAVINGS Act. ^[12][12] News from the States. "Crossover day is here: Like your March Madness brackets, but for legislation." newsfromthestates.com, 23 March 2026, https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/crossover-day-here-your-march-madness-brackets-legislation. This bill would require utilities to submit cost-containment plans for PSC review. ^[12][12] News from the States. "Crossover day is here: Like your March Madness brackets, but for legislation." newsfromthestates.com, 23 March 2026, https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/crossover-day-here-your-march-madness-brackets-legislation. Additionally, the commission investigated allegations that a utility employee falsified gas pipeline inspection records over four years. ^[8][8] CBS News Baltimore. "Maryland Public Service commission claims BGE inspector falsified records." cbsnews.com, 15 April 2025, https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/maryland-public-service-commission-claims-bge-inspector-falsified-records/. The Engineering Division released a report on April 11, 2025, that continued to influence 2026 oversight discussions. ^[8][8] CBS News Baltimore. "Maryland Public Service commission claims BGE inspector falsified records." cbsnews.com, 15 April 2025, https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/maryland-public-service-commission-claims-bge-inspector-falsified-records/.