20070523 MDGOP: Many Marylanders Hit With 50% Increase on Electric Bills

MDGOP: Many Marylanders Hit With 50% Increase on Electric Bills

Maryland Republican Party

James Pelura, DVM, MS

Chairman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 23, 2007

Many Marylanders Hit With 50% Increase on Electric Bills

ANNAPOLIS - Today, the Public Service Commission announced its approval of a 50-percent rate hike for BGE electric customers.

The rate increase is set to take effect on Friday, June 1st. Martin O’Malley campaigned vigorously on the pledge that he would stop such rate increases.

Maryland Republican Party Chairman James Pelura released the following statement:

Martin O’Malley is all show and no substance. Last year, O’Malley filed a lawsuit to stop then-Governor Ehrlich’s plan to slow the rate increase, forcing this drastic 50-percent increase.

As electric rates are about to go up next week, O’Malley, and the Democrat leadership in the General Assembly have been missing in action.

O’Malley’s pledge to hold the line on rate increases and help working families was a false campaign promise. O’Malley’s lack of visibility on this issue shows he will do and say whatever it takes to get elected.

Unfortunately, this may be lights out for many Marylanders.

Quotes from the O’Malley/Brown Campaign Web Site (http://www.martinomalley.com/content/591)

Martin O’Malley and Anthony Brown will work to provide immediate relief from the impending rate hikes for our families, small businesses and the most vulnerable in our communities.

O’Malley and Brown believe that any system should ensure an adequate supply of energy, a fair rate of return for producers and affordable rates for customers. Absent adequate competition that can meet these goals, we must work to implement a system that ensures an adequate supply of energy at affordable rates.

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