Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Saturday, March 25, 2006

20060324 “We Warned Them," Says PSC's Schisler

“We Warned Them," Says PSC's Schisler

Friday, March 24, 2006, WBAL Radio

The chairman of Maryland's Public Service Commission is dismissing claims by some lawmakers that they were blindsided by BGE's plans to raise rates precipitously when price caps come off in July.

WBAL News has obtained records that show numerous conferences and meetings between PSC agents and lawmakers over the course of several months last year.

At least 20 briefings or meetings are documented by the PSC.

According to chairman Kenneth Schisler met personally with Senator Thomas Middleton on October 19th.

Sen. Middleton is one of the supporters of a measure that would put the proposed merger between BGE's parent Constellation Energy and Florida Power and Light on hold in order to force a reduction in the proposed rate increases, said to average 72 percent or about $740 dollars more a year for BGE customers.

Schisler said he spent a great deal of time last summer trying to notify people of the pending increases.

House Speaker Michael Busch told WBAL News that some lawmakers might have been blindsided, but that Schisler never met privately with him since becoming chairman of the PSC.

Critics have charged the PSC with being too supportive of utilities and leaders from both parties in Annapolis have said the rate hikes are too high and must be lowered, or at lease deferred over more time, for customers.

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Additionally, “The Sun Lies” wrote on June 29th, 2006:

One of our readers sent us an email making a very good point. The author said that The Sun has found plenty of time to criticize the PSC, but not a single word of criticism towards a Senate deregulation committee that met only four times and did not produce any suggestions or reports. In their quest for journalistic glory, The Sun seems to have missed an entire chunk of the story that really details why this isn’t really about the PSC, but instead why this is about a partisan hatchet game by the Maryland General Assembly.

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