News Stories
Sponsored by Earth Etch. Regulatory insight and compliance solutions for today’s energy markets.
Commission Files Notice Initiating Rulemaking And Rulemaking Session In Emergency Weather Terminations
From the Maryland PSC Notice:
On June 18, 2024, the Office of People’s Counsel (OPC) filed a petition requesting that the Commission issue an Emergency Order to protect utility customers from the anticipated extreme heat of summer 2024. The Commission received Parties’ comments on the matter, and issued Order No. 91239 on July 23, 2024 in response to OPC’s petition.
Among other things, Order No. 91239 stated that a number of the issues raised by OPC regarding service termination protections, such as incorporating heat index into the definition of an extreme weather period, would be better addressed at a rulemaking and that the Commission would initiate a rulemaking to consider those questions.
The Commission hereby initiates an Administrative Docket, RM 86 for the purpose of considering the attached draft revisions (the “Proposed Rules”) to Code of Maryland Regulations (“COMAR”) 20.31. Comments on the Proposed Rules must be e-filed by November 18, 2024.
The comments should be addressed to Andrew S. Johnston, Executive Secretary, Maryland Public Service Commission, William Donald Schaefer Tower, 6 St. Paul Street, 16th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The Administrative Docket number (“RM 86”) must appear in the subject line of the cover letter.
The Commission will conduct an in-person only rulemaking session on December 5, 2024, beginning at 10:00 a.m. in order to consider proposed revisions. If the Commission approves proposed regulations for publication, they will be published in the Maryland Register for notice and comment.
Given that the Commission has an ongoing docket in PC59 that is considering new mechanisms for protecting limited-income households, the Commission asks that parties’ comments be limited to the subject areas for which revisions are being proposed in the Proposed Rules, which focus on termination notices and the timelines applicable thereto. The Commission will address revisions specifically germane to PC59 at a later time and as determined to be necessary in that proceeding.
Notice (10/21/2024)
Proposed Regulations (10/21/2024)
RM86 (10/21/2024)
(Emergency Weather Terminations –Revisions to COMAR 20.31)
