Maryland Watchdog Calls for Probe into BGE's Stalled Baltimore Peninsula Project

Concerns raised over potential impact on utility rates for residents if commercial development lags

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Maryland Office of the People's Counsel (OPC) has filed a petition asking the state's Public Service Commission to investigate Baltimore Gas & Electric's (BGE) stalled $500 million transmission and distribution infrastructure expansion project on the Baltimore Peninsula. The OPC warns that the lack of anticipated commercial development in the area could lead to higher utility bills for residents if BGE is allowed to pass on the costs.

Why it matters

The OPC is concerned that BGE's infrastructure investments, based on projections of significant commercial growth that have not materialized, could unfairly burden residential customers with higher utility rates. This raises questions about the oversight and cost-effectiveness reviews of such major utility projects.

The details

In 2016, BGE planned the $500 million Baltimore Peninsula project to expand grid capacity and support economic growth in the area. However, the OPC claims that only about one-tenth of the project has been completed in the past 10 years, and nearly half of the planned retail and office spaces remain vacant. A recent development company also exited the project. The OPC argues that without clear justification for the level of BGE's spending, residential customers could end up paying billions of dollars in higher utility bills over the coming decades.

  • In 2016, BGE announced plans for the $500 million Baltimore Peninsula project.
  • Over the past 10 years, only about one-tenth of the project has been completed.
  • On March 6, a State Senate committee will hold an oversight hearing on utility infrastructure projects and their potential costs.

The players

Maryland Office of the People's Counsel (OPC)

A consumer watchdog group that is calling for an investigation into BGE's stalled Baltimore Peninsula project.

Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE)

The utility company that planned the $500 million transmission and distribution infrastructure expansion project on the Baltimore Peninsula.

Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC)

The regulatory body that the OPC has petitioned to require BGE to provide more information about its plans for the project.

David Lapp

An OPC representative who expressed concerns about the potential impact of BGE's infrastructure spending on residential utility bills.

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What they’re saying

“Customers face paying billions of dollars in their utility bills over the coming decades for all the costs related to BGE's Baltimore Peninsula investment plans.”

— David Lapp, OPC Representative (cbsnews.com)

“Baltimore's future is bright, and its residents deserve growing access to jobs and opportunity. However, economic growth cannot happen without the assurance that essential services - energy being one of them - will be available to all customers, new and existing, when our residents and businesses need to turn on the lights, and that's why BGE's responsibility to serve customers includes ensuring reliability is maintained for everyone when significant new load is expected on the system.”

— BGE Spokesperson (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

On Friday, March 6, a State Senate committee will hold an oversight hearing to ask Maryland utilities how many supplemental projects are in progress and how much they could cost taxpayers.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for greater transparency and oversight of major utility infrastructure projects, especially when they are based on projections of commercial growth that do not materialize. Regulators must ensure that the costs of such projects do not unfairly burden residential customers with higher utility rates.