Just Say “NO” to Slots

Just Say “NO” to Slots

by Kevin E. Dayhoff October 31, 2008 The Tentacle

There are two constitutional questions on the ballot next Tuesday. I will be voting “NO” on both. Question 2 will amend the state constitution to allow slots. Question 1 would amend the Maryland Constitution to allow early voting in Maryland.

In an earlier column I explained why I feel strongly that early voting in Maryland is not such a hot idea.

Question 2 is not nearly so black and white. I have a good number of well-intentioned and thoughtful friends and colleagues who are voting for slots, and almost an equal number of people who are just as responsible and well informed and are voting against slots.

After a great deal of thought, study, and research, I will be voting “NO.”

[…]

Maryland state government already has a pathological spending addiction and the current slots referendum only fuels the problem.

And there’s the rub. I cannot say it better than The Cecil Whig: “The people (who) are now trying to sell you slots are the same people (who) passed the largest tax increase in Maryland's history and said that it would solve our fiscal problems. They are the same people who said that there wouldn't be a BG&E rate hike…

[…]

20060000 OMalley BGE Ad

[…]

“If you believe the General Assembly will use the revenue generated from slots wisely, to lower taxes and control further spending, then we recommend you vote for it.

“But if you are concerned that legislators will waste the revenue from slots and citizens will not benefit with tax decreases and spending will again outpace tax revenues, then we recommend you vote against the referendum.”

[…]

Read the entire column here: Just Say “NO” to Slots

20081031 The Tentacle: Just Say NO to Slots

Constellation Energy To Host Conference Call

Constellation Energy To Host Conference Call

BALTIMORE, Sep 22, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Constellation Energy (NYSE: CEG) will host a conference call at 11:00 a.m. (EDT) today (Monday, Sept. 22, 2008) to discuss the proposed merger with MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company announced on Sept. 19, 2008.

To participate, analysts, investors, media and the public in the U.S. may dial (888) 455-2894 shortly before 11:00 a.m. The international phone number is (773) 681-5899. The conference password is ENERGY. A replay will be available for 90 days approximately one hour after the end of the call by dialing (800) 778-9714 or (402) 220-2072 (international). No password is required to listen to the replay.

A live audio webcast of the conference call and presentation slides will be available on the Investor Relations page of Constellation Energy's Web site (http://www.constellation.com). A webcast replay, as well as a replay in downloadable MP3 format, will also be available on the Constellation Energy's Web site shortly after the completion of the call. The call will also be recorded and archived on the site.

About Constellation Energy

Constellation Energy (http://www.constellation.com), a FORTUNE 125 company with 2007 revenues of $21 billion, is the nation's largest competitive supplier of electricity to large commercial and industrial customers and the nation's largest wholesale power seller. Constellation Energy also manages fuels and energy services on behalf of energy intensive industries and utilities. It owns a diversified fleet of 83 generating units located throughout the United States, totaling approximately 9,000 megawatts of generating capacity. The company delivers electricity and natural gas through the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), its regulated utility in Central Maryland.

Forward-Looking Statements and Additional Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements relating to the proposed transaction between Constellation Energy and MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company and the expected timing and completion of the transaction. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "will," "should," "may," and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our management and involve a number of significant risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Constellation Energy and MidAmerican. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause or contribute to such material differences: the ability to obtain the approval of the transaction by Constellation Energy's shareholders; the ability to obtain governmental approvals of the transaction or to satisfy other conditions to the transaction on the terms and expected timeframe or at all; transaction costs; economic conditions; and the effects of disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with employees, customers, other business partners or government entities. Additional factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in the proxy statement Constellation Energy intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and mail to its shareholders with respect to the proposed transaction, each of which are or will be available at the Securities and Exchange Commission's Web site (http://www.sec.gov) at no charge.

This communication is being made in respect of the proposed merger transaction involving Constellation Energy and MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company. In connection with the proposed transaction, Constellation Energy will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a proxy statement and will mail the proxy statement to its shareholders. Shareholders are encouraged to read the proxy statement regarding the proposed transaction when it becomes available because it will contain important information. Shareholders will be able to obtain a free copy of the proxy statement, as well as other filings made by Constellation Energy regarding Constellation Energy, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company and the proposed transaction, without charge, at the Securities and Exchange Commission's Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). These materials can also be obtained, when available, without charge, by directing a request to Constellation Energy per the investor relations contact information below.

Constellation Energy, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company and their respective directors and executive officers and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding Constellation Energy's directors and executive officers is available in Constellation Energy's notice of annual meeting and proxy statement for its most recent annual meeting and Constellation Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, which were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2008 and April 29, 2008, respectively. Other information regarding the participants in the solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE: Constellation Energy
Constellation Energy
Media:
Robert L. Gould/Debra Larsson
410-470-7433
or
Investor:
Kevin Hadlock, 410-470-3647
Janet Mosher, 410 470-1884
Copyright Business Wire 2008
News Provided by COMTEX
SEC Filing Alert
Constellation Energy Group has filed the following document(s) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Sep 22, 2008

Form 8-K / Current Report HTML PDF

Form Defa14a / Definitive Proxy Statement
HTML PDF

View all SEC Filings

20080922 Constellation Energy To Host Conference Call

20080511 The Gunpowder Chronicles

The Gunpowder Chronicles

Sunday, May 11, 2008

The folks over at The Gunpowder Chronicle are thinking out loud that maybe Ed Hale Should Stop Talking?: Eddie Hale -- robust supporter of O'Guvnah and would be land-baron of Baltimore -- spoke up at the annual 1st Mariner Stockholder's Meeting and prognosticated that the stock had reached its lowest point, and was poised for a rebound. More – click here.

While you are over there graze several other posts that are worthwhile:

Happy Birthday Israel: Thursday, May 8, 2008 was the 60th Anniversary of the founding of Israel.

Way to Go Steve Larsen and O'Guvnah!: Remember how O'Guvnah promised us in his 2006 campaign how the O'Guvnah era in Maryland Politics would usher in a brand new Public Service Commission... one not "so connected" with power utilities that they regulated? How rate increases would be rolled back? How electricity would be made affordable again?

The Road to Hell Is Paved with Good Intentions: Of course, the ACLU and the liberal lawyers are leading the way. Just ask the victims of former Guantanamo detainee Abdullah Salih Al Ajmi.

20080130 Constellation Threatens To Halt Plans For Reactor In Md

20080130 Constellation Threatens To Halt Plans For Reactor In Md

Hat Tip: Delusional Duck Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Constellation Energy Threatens To Halt Plans For Reactor In Md.

http://delusionalduck.com/index.php/site/constellation_energy_threatens_to_halt_plans_for_reactor_in_md/

Constellation Energy Group has threatened to build a new nuclear reactor in New York instead of Maryland if the state’s political and regulatory environment doesn’t improve. [WRC-TV]

Hat Tip: nbc4.com

Constellation Energy Threatens To Halt Plans For Reactor In Md.

http://www.nbc4.com/news/15175143/detail.html

POSTED: 11:23 am EST January 30, 2008

UPDATED: 11:36 am EST January 30, 2008

BALTIMORE -- Constellation Energy Group has threatened to build a new nuclear reactor in New York instead of Maryland if the state's political and regulatory environment doesn't improve.

In a statement released on Tuesday, executive vice president Michael Wallace said the company hopes to break ground on a new reactor at Calvert Cliffs this year but would proceed instead with plans for a reactor at New York's Nine Mile Point if the company encounters delays in Maryland.

The statement appears to be Constellation's latest effort to challenge efforts by Maryland regulators and lawmakers to revisit deregulation.

Gov. Martin O'Malley said he's committed to the nuclear project in Maryland and will work to make sure it gets a timely review.

_____

NRC Action on UniStar's Partial Combined License Application Sets Stage for Detailed Review of Potential New Reactor in Southern Maryland

http://ir.constellation.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=112182&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1101485&highlight=

UniStar Also Preparing New York Site for First U.S. Evolutionary Power Reactor

BALTIMORE, Jan. 29, 2008 -- UniStar Nuclear Energy, a strategic joint venture between Constellation Energy and the EDF Group, today announced that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has docketed UniStar's partial Combined License Application (COLA) for an advanced design reactor adjacent to Constellation Energy's Calvert Cliffs site in southern Maryland.

Michael J. Wallace, chairman of UniStar and executive vice president of Constellation Energy, said the NRC action confirms that the environmental portion of the application, as well as other critical information in the partial application, are technically complete and ready for detailed NRC review.

"The NRC decision is a major milestone in UniStar's plans to potentially develop and construct a fleet of new nuclear plants in the United States," Wallace said. "This regulatory step forward also supports Constellation Energy's efforts to provide economic and environmentally sound electricity to meet anticipated demand in the Mid-Atlantic region, and in particular the state of Maryland."

Wallace said UniStar expects to make a final decision in the next 12-18 months on whether to proceed with a third reactor at the Calvert Cliffs site. He noted the company also is pursuing a new reactor in upstate New York as part of its strategy to build at least four U.S. Evolutionary Power Reactors (EPRs) in the United States. He said any decision to build a new nuclear plant will take into consideration a number of factors, including project economics, ability to finance and the political and regulatory climate in the state where the plant will be built.

"Ideally, we would like to break ground for a new reactor in southern Maryland in late 2008 so this carbon-free, base-load source of electricity can be in operation by 2015," Wallace said. "However, if we encounter delays in Maryland, we are prepared to proceed with the first EPR at our Nine Mile Point nuclear plant location in New York."

Wallace said the NRC decision to docket UniStar's partial Combined License Application begins a comprehensive, detailed review process that includes requests for additional information, site visits, public scoping meetings, the development of a draft environmental impact statement, and safety reviews.

UniStar plans to submit the remaining portion of its COLA -- which includes the Final Safety Analysis Report -- to the NRC in March. NRC regulations permit an applicant to submit one part of a COLA up to 18 months before submitting the remainder. Additional reviews and public meetings and hearings will occur following NRC review and acceptance of the remainder of the COLA.

The NRC decision, announced Jan. 25, continues to build momentum for UniStar, which is working with Constellation Energy, EDF, PPL, AmerenUE and emerging energy companies such as AEHI and Amarillo Power. U.S. EPRs have been proposed at existing nuclear sites in Pennsylvania and Missouri, as well as greenfield sites in Idaho and Texas. UniStar's full COLA will serve as the reference document for all additional UniStar COLAs.

In December 2007, UniStar's partner in the U.S. nuclear renaissance, reactor manufacturer AREVA, submitted its design certification application for the 1,600-megawatt U.S. EPR to the NRC. In November 2007, UniStar submitted a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to the Maryland Public Service Commission for the potential plant at Calvert Cliffs and also announced an agreement with turbine-generator supplier Alstom for the turbine- generator systems for the first four U.S. EPRs.

UniStar Nuclear Energy, a strategic joint venture between Constellation Energy and EDF, is powering the nuclear renaissance in North America through industry leadership, disciplined business practices and effective risk-management. Based in Baltimore, Md., UniStar Nuclear Energy provides the licensing, construction and operating services needed to support the expansion of clean, safe and sustainable nuclear energy in the United States.

Constellation Energy (http://www.constellation.com), a FORTUNE 125 company with 2006 revenues of $19.3 billion, is the nation's largest competitive supplier of electricity to large commercial and industrial customers and the nation's largest wholesale power seller. Constellation Energy also manages fuels and energy services on behalf of energy intensive industries and utilities. It owns a diversified fleet of 78 generating units located throughout the United States, totaling approximately 8,700 megawatts of generating capacity. The company delivers electricity and natural gas through the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), its regulated utility in Central Maryland.

An energy market leader in Europe, the EDF Group is an integrated energy company operating in all branches of the industry: generation, transmission, distribution, and the trading and sale of energy. The top electricity producer in Europe, the Group has predominantly nuclear and hydroelectric power plants in France, supplying electricity that is 95 percent CO2-free. Its transmission and distribution subsidiaries operate 1,246,000 km of medium and low voltage overhead and underground electricity lines and around 100,000 km of high and very high voltage networks. The Group is involved in the supply of energy and services to more than 38 million customers worldwide with more than 28 million of them in France. The Group's consolidated sales stood at euro 58.9 Billion in 2006 of which 42 percent was in Europe excluding France. EDF, which is listed on the Paris Bourse, is a member of the CAC 40 index.

20070810 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SAVE $30 MILLION IN ENERGY COSTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Barbara Herron

410-732-9564

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SAVE $30 MILLION IN ENERGY COSTS

BALTIMORE (August 10, 2007) – Between June 2006 and June 30, 2007, the innovative strategy of purchasing electricity directly from the regional grid and multiple wholesale suppliers resulted in savings of more than $30 million for local governments and participating agencies, compared with BGE’s standard offer service rates.

The $70.6 million spent on electricity purchases saved the region’s taxpayers approximately $12.1 million when compared with the retail cost of electricity. The total annualized cost was $.078 per kilowatt hour.

The Baltimore Regional Cooperative Purchasing Committee(BRCPC), a standing committee of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, developed the wholesale portfolio approach to purchasing electricity, eliminating retail middleman costs, in conjunction with its independent energy advisor, South River Consulting. Pepco Energy Services, the portfolio licensed service provider, has also been instrumental in the strategy’s operational and performance success.

The portfolio includes 3,000 BGE commercial electric accounts. Participants include the Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard county governments; the Baltimore County Public Libraries and Revenue Authority; Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Harford County public schools; the cities of Aberdeen, Annapolis and Bowie; and the Baltimore Museum of Art and Walters Art Gallery.

Other local government organizations have since adopted the wholesale portfolio approach. The portfolio approach used by BRCPC for purchasing energy is currently one of the options being considered by the Maryland Public Service Commission, the Maryland Energy Administration and the Governor’s Office for Maryland’s electric utilities as a means of reducing energy costs for residential customers.

“It’s always good to find ways to save taxpayers’ money,” said Harford County Executive David Craig, the BMC Chair. “The money local governments can save on electricity means more money to provide services that directly benefit our residents.”

# # #

The Baltimore Metropolitan Council is an organization of the elected executives of Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties. The executives are committed to identifying regional interests and developing collaborative strategies, plans and programs which will improve the quality of life and economic vitality throughout the region.

20070525 The Fuel Fund of Maryland Fundraiser

The Fuel Fund of Maryland Fundraiser - Salsabration!!!

Posted May 25, 2007

Hat Tip: TC

The Fuel Fund of Maryland is having their annual Salsabration!!!

Thursday 6/21 from 5:30-9:00pm at Gardel's Supper Club

(29 South Front St, Inner Harbor).

The Fuel Fund of Maryland is having their annual Salsabration!!! on Thursday 6/21 from 5:30-9:00pm at Gardel's Supper Club (29 South Front St, Inner Harbor). Tickets are $45 in advance or $50 at the door.

This is a Hot! HOt! HOT!!! night featuring Ethnic Food & Drinks, Latin Dancing, Great Prizes, Entertainment, Silent Auction, and LOADS of fun!

Please come celebrate the first day of summer by supporting the Fuel Fund of Maryland! Proceeds from this event provide energy assistance for low income families. With the BGE increase in the news, here's a fun way to help lots of families!

If you are interested, please contact Corina Hines at chines AT hspinc.org or call her 410-386-6657.

####

20070524 News Clips

News Clips

May 24^th, 2007

State News

BGE rate hike approval draws criticism from Republicans

http://www.abc2news.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=902642cc-d5c1-49bf-8a6d-c5ef496b5e63

During last year's gubernatorial campaign, Democrat Martin O'Malley sharply criticized the approval of a rate hike for Baltimore Gas and Electric customers approved by a Public Service Commission appointed by his Republican rival, then Governor Robert Ehrlich.

So when the commission appointed by O'Malley, who is now governor, approved a 50 percent electricity rate hike today, state Republican Party Chairman James Pelura took the opportunity to criticize him. He said -- quote -- "O'Malley's pledge to hold the line on rate increases and help working families was a false campaign promise."

50% rise in BGE rates OK'd by PSC

Panel criticizes utility, past regulatory rulings

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-te.bz.psc24may24,0,7172127.story?coll=bal-home-headlines

The state utility commission approved yesterday a 50 percent electricity rate increase for customers of Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. in a sweeping order that also takes the company and past regulators to task for decisions made in the run-up to electricity deregulation.

The five-member Public Service Commission said it had arrived at its conclusion "reluctantly," arguing that its hands were tied by past regulatory decisions, legislative action and the terms of state-approved contracts that the utility has signed with electricity suppliers.

Schisler and Ehrlich could not be reached yesterday. James Pelura, chairman of the state Republican Party, issued a statement accusing O'Malley of breaking his campaign pledge to provide consumers relief if elected.

"O'Malley is all show and no substance," Pelura said.

BGE customers will pay 50 percent more

http://www.examiner.com/a-745318~BGE_customers_will_pay_50_percent_more.html

The Maryland Public Service Commission formally approved the 50 percent rate increase for Baltimore Gas and Electric residential customers effective June 1.

We looked at it legally and unfortunately found no legal basis to disallow the rate hike, PSC chairman Steven Larsen said. BGE, in its procurement process, met the legal standards set out by the PSC. To defer it would have been to impose illegal, artificial rate caps.

I am not surprised at PSCs decision, said Del. Jill Carter, a Baltimore City mayoral candidate. Gov. [Martin] OMalleys changing of PSC members was like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. This only reaffirms the need for the special legislative session I asked the governor to call in order to deal with this problem. The legislature created this problem in 1999, and it is incumbent upon us now, more than ever, to fix it.

Officials approve BGE's increase

http://washingtontimes.com/metro/20070523-113236-1935r.htm

State officials reluctantly approved a 50 percent rate increase yesterday for the 1.1 million residential customers of Baltimore Gas and Electric Co., saying they had "little legal option" to defer or reduce the utility company's proposal.

The increase goes into effect June 1. The Maryland Public Service Commission was critical of the way the transition to market rates had been handled, and commission Chairman Steven Larsen said he was disappointed an alternative couldn't be found.

BGE Customers to Face Heftier Energy Bills in June

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/23/AR2007052301340.html

Residential customers of Maryland's largest electricity provider, Baltimore Gas and Electric, could see their bills increase by as much as 50 percent starting next month under a plan that state regulators said yesterday they approved "with reluctance, but with little legal option."

The Public Service Commission also agreed to an optional phase-in plan that would allow consumers to defer a portion of the increase interest-free. Under that plan, rates would rise only about 38 percent in the coming year, but the difference would have to be paid on future bills.

During last year's campaign, O'Malley accused the commission, which then had a majority of Ehrlich appointees, of "rubber-stamping" BGE's rate request. Yesterday, the tables were turned.

"O'Malley's pledge to hold the line on rate increases and help working families was a false campaign promise," state GOP Chairman James Pelura said in a statement. "His lack of visibility on this issue shows he will do and say whatever it takes to get elected."

BGE rate increase: Pay now or pay later

Residential electricity bills will inevitably go up, but part of the sum can be deferred interest-free

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-te.bz.deferral24may24,0,5055621.story?coll=bal-home-headlines

Now that Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. has the go-ahead to raise electricity rates by 50 percent next month, Marylanders also have a choice: Pay the full increase right away or spread it out under a deferral plan.

Anti-slots group revived

Coalition of civic and religious organizations to meet tomorrow

http://www.capitalonline.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/05_23-35/TOP

Following Maryland's premier horse racing day of the year and State House rumblings that expanded gambling is a necessary solution to the state's fiscal problems, an anti-slots group is reorganizing after a one-year hiatus.

StopSlotsMaryland, a coalition of citizens, civic groups and religious organizations, will hold a meeting tomorrow at Calvary United Methodist Church in Annapolis to gear up for next year's General Assembly session.

Howard council OK's budget; 517 new jobs expected

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/howard/bal-md.ho.council24may24,0,5842218.story?coll=bal-local-headlines

Howard County will be able to hire 517 new government and school employees, and the fire property tax rate will increase by 1 cent, thanks to a $1.3 billion operating budget approved by the County Council yesterday.

The general property tax rate won't change, but the owner of a house priced at the county median of $450,000 will pay $273 more in property taxes July 1, due mostly to rising assessments, budget officials said.

Greg Fox, the council's only Republican, was the only member to vote against the spending plan. The five-member council left County Executive Ken Ulman's first budget virtually intact, despite a 10.7 percent increase in spending.

Funds restored to schools, nonprofits

$8.2 million shuffled in Leopold's spending plan

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/05_23-40/TOP

After weeks of pleas from residents and closed-door negotiations by politicians, the County Council and County Executive John R. Leopold restored $815,000 for nonprofit groups and added $5.4 million for schools yesterday.

Altogether, they shuffled $8.2 million in the $1.66 billion budget for next year, leaving intact most of the spending plan Mr. Leopold presented earlier this month.

"Last year we fine-tuned Janet Owens' budget. This year we micromanaged John Leopold's budget because there's only a (microscopic amount) of money to move around," said Councilman Ed Reilly, R-Crofton.

National News

Obama has fans in focus group

But 12 Md. voters look to GOP for safest choice in '08 White House race

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/bal-te.focus23may23,1,122149.story

Americans will be choosing change in 2008, if a group of Maryland voters is any indication. Whether the next president will be a Democrat is another question, though.

Sen. Barack Obama drew the most positive responses, while Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton came in for rough treatment, during the first in a national series of focus-group discussions sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania's nonpartisan Annenberg Public Policy Center.

But when the area voters were asked who would be the safest choice to lead the country in these uncertain times, nearly all, including Democrats and independents, picked Republicans: former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Sen. John McCain or former Gov. Mitt Romney.

Giuliani attends game, fundraiser

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.sbriefs24may24,0,5330337.story?coll=bal-local-headlines

Republican presidential candidate Rudolph W. Giuliani visited Maryland last night for two competitive American pastimes: political fundraising and youth baseball.

Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, was expected to raise $250,000 at the home of Edward St. John, an area developer.

Giuliani was joined last night by former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., who told reporters that in addition to helping the ex-mayor raise money, Ehrlich would head to New Hampshire next month to help out after a GOP debate at St. Anselm College.

Gilchrest gaining two well-known opponents in re-election bid

http://www.examiner.com/a-745344~Gilchrest_gaining_two_well_known_opponents_in_re_election_bid.html

A high-profile state senator from Baltimore County and the states attorney in Queen Annes County are lining up to challenge U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest in what could be another tough re-election fight in District 1.

This is a sort of a normal state of affairs for us, said Gilchrests chief of staff, Tony Caligiuri. The Republican congressman has faced similar challenges in at least six campaigns in a 16-year career that was launched by defeating two Democratic incumbents in 1990 and 1992.

Nethken announces intentions to run

http://www.wcbcradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7438&Itemid=35

At a press conference Wednesday morning at Cumberland City Hall, former Cumberland mayor Frank Nethken announced his intentions to run for Marylands Sixth Congressional Seat. Nethken has run for the seat twice in the past, which is currently held Congressman Roscoe Bartlett. Nethken stated that he intended to represent the little guy, and to not only focus on national issues such as education and tax cuts, but also local issues like the revitalization of the Downtown Cumberland Mall. Nethken also had a message for Congressman Bartlett

House Democrats bracing for unpalatable Iraq vote

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/house-democrats-bracing-for-unpalatable-iraq-vote-2007-05-24.html

House Democrats head into their last vote on the Iraq supplemental budget today with a sense of resignation, with fewer than half expected to vote in favor of a bill that gives President Bush nearly everything he wants.

The number of Democrats likely to vote for the Iraq measure ranges from about 60 to a slight minority of the caucus, around 110.

Even House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is expected to vote against it. But House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) will probably vote yes.

They seem to be holding on by their fingertips for September, Rep. Wayne Gilchrest, an anti-war Republican from Maryland, said of his GOP colleagues.

Anti-war activists attack Democrats over Iraq bill

Leadership criticized for agreeing to drop withdrawal deadline

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/iraq/bal-te.warvote24may24,0,2158417.story?coll=bal-iraq-headlines

For anti-war activists, turning against House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer was only the beginning.

The liberal group MoveOn.org ran radio ads this week chastising the Southern Maryland Democrat for voting against a measure that would have forced a withdrawal from Iraq within 180 days.

But that attack ad was nothing compared with the vitriol unleashed yesterday, as war opponents lit into the rest of the Democratic leadership for agreeing to drop a withdrawal timeline from the Iraq spending bill.

"We were so proud when he was made majority leader of the House of Representatives," an announcer intones. "But that pride has turned to disappointment. Because last week, Steny Hoyer was one of just a few Democrats to vote against the McGovern bill - a real plan for withdrawing from Iraq."

Hoyer's office says he understands "the passion" that many feel about the war.

In a statement, Hoyer said he was "deeply disappointed that the president continues to defy the will of the American people on Iraq, but ... I do believe that Democrats this week imposed a level of accountability where formerly there was none, and we will continue our efforts."

Century students work to hang in U.S. Capitol

http://www.gazette.net/stories/052407/sykenew213012_32338.shtml

Congratulations to Century High School senior Nicholas Kasnia who received the Best of Show award for a computer generated piece he entered into the Congressional Artistic Discovery Competition.

On May 14, Congressman Roscoe Bartlett, who represents the Sixth Congressional District, announced the names of district winners, including Kasnia, according to a press release.

Lisa Wright, spokeswoman, said the national high school art competition coordinated by members of the U.S. House of Representatives recognizes and promotes young artists.

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.

###

20070218 The Opera of the Maryland Witchcraft Trial of Ken Schisler

UPDATE: The Maryland Blogger Alliance just posted its first Blog Carnival. The rest of the entries can be found at “Crablaw's Maryland Weekly” or click here: “Carnival of Maryland #1 - 2/25/2007.”

The Opera of the Maryland Witchcraft Trial of Ken Schisler
February 18, 2007 by Kevin Dayhoff

Last Friday, February 16th, 2007, it was announced that “Gov. Martin O’Malley has chosen former Maryland insurance commissioner Steven B. Larsen as his nominee to head the embattled Public Service Commission,” according to an article by Douglas Tallman and Alan Brody in the Gazette.

Messrs. Tallman and Brody added that Mr. Larsen served as “Glendening’s insurance chief from June 1997 until May 2003.”

Read the rest of their article here.

On January 29th, 2007, the former chair of the Maryland Public Service Commission, Ken Schisler resigned with a mere 51-word statement.[1]

This - in contrast with the thousands of words raged in epic operatic proportions over the last year in response to a market spike in the cost of electricity just after the rate cap inconveniently came off in an election year.

Before the dawn of 2006 most Marylanders had never heard of the Public Service Commission or the 1999 electric deregulation legislation. For most of the public, the Public Service Commission’s role in electric rates was esoteric if not outright enigmatic.

The Maryland Democratic Party’s campaign for governor made the manufactured concept of some shadowy cabal of regulators exacting feudal tribute out of the working class in return for the ability to turn on the lights – a cornerstone of the election campaign.

It was classic class warfare.

Instead of accepting responsibility for well-intentioned legislation that went horribly wrong, Maryland’s Democratic leadership quickly settled upon Public Service Commission Chair Ken Schisler to personify last year’s market-driven 72 percent increase in the cost of electricity:

Many understood the malevolent campaign against Chairman Schisler as payback for his firing of five high-ranking Public Service Commission employees on April 15, 2004. A firestorm had ensued.

Senate Judicial Proceedings Chairman Brian E. Frosh (D-Dist. 16) of Bethesda immediately claimed that the Chairman violated state law. It was a position which Senator Frosh and Maryland Democratic leaders never changed.

In published remarks, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Dist. 27) of Chesapeake Beach compared Chairman Schisler to “a dictator” lording over “Russian surfs.”

In another phase of the Chairman Schisler witchcraft trial, last May 2006, he was aggressively questioned before the Special Committee on State Employee Rights and Protections for his 2004 personnel decisions.

Last year’s Democratic response to the unpredicted escalation in the cost of electricity had nothing to do with what was in the best interests of the citizens of Maryland and everything to do with electing a Democrat governor in the state of Maryland.

In the process, Maryland’s Democratic leadership re-enacted the proceedings of the 1692 Salem witchcraft trials and crushed a dedicated public servant, Ken Schisler, under heavy stones for refusing to submit...

To put a cap on this fabricated witch-hunt opera, Governor Martin O’Malley’s spokesman, Rick Abbruzzese, greeted Mr. Schisler’s resignation with great anticipation. “There is no time to waste getting professional regulators back on the job — to protect consumers and restore stability for businesses.”

On other words, with Ken Schisler gone, everything is now right with the world.

Well hardly. Many of us who understand the 1999 electric deregulation legislation, economics and market forces are dumbstruck. There is very little either the governor or the Public Service Commission can do. And that goes for any chair, no matter whether they are a “professional regulator” or rabidly pro-business or anti-business.

The Public Service Commission cannot constitutionally require an electric utility to sell electricity at a rate lower than its cost. Electricity will not be cheaper than the 1993 rates in the foreseeable future.

The responsibility rests solely with the Maryland General Assembly. And what will the Maryland General Assembly do next? Regulate the cost of oil in Saudi Arabia?

With yet another Glendening re-tread in place - - Stay tuned. We can hardly wait for the next act of this opera.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.
E-mail him at: kdayhoff(at)carr.org

Electric Deregulation, Liberal double standards, Maryland General Assembly Opera,

####

[1] STATEMENT FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MARYLAND PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

January 29th, 2007

Baltimore, MD—Today, Kenneth Schisler, Chairman of the Maryland Public Service Commission (“Commission”), issued the following statement:

Today, I have submitted my resignation to the Governor, effective Friday, February 2, 2007. During my tenure at the Commission I have endeavored to implement the policies enacted by the General Assembly in a fair, impartial and effective manner. My resignation will facilitate the ability of the Public Service Commission to move forward in the important work it must accomplish. I wish my successors well.

20070202 The Electrocution of Ken Schisler

The Electrocution of Ken Schisler

February 2nd, 2007

UPDATE: I would like to call to your attention that Mr. Kline, who has represented Mr. Schisler in many of the matters reviewed in this blog post has left a comment…

Greg Kline has left a new comment on your post "20070202 The Electrocution of Ken Schisler": I do not know if you are interested in the actual story with regard to Chairman Schisler, but I wrote on spoke on this at my blog http://conservativerefuge.blogspot.com I have only been representing the guy for a year and was party to the discussions leading up to the "dark day" you describe. Might be something to round out the story.

I have asked him to review this post for any corrections, additions or edits…

His blog, “The Conservative Refuge” does indeed give us insight to some of the “rest of the story” and I recommend that you give it a read.

Meanwhile – spread the word… to paraphrase Mr. Kline, we can never have enough friends or support. Please consider leaving Mr. Schisler best wishes in the comment section on this post or please consider going to Mr. Kline’s web site, The Conservative Refuge, and leaving Mr. Schisler best wishes and thanks for all his service to the State of Maryland on his site in the comment section.

KED

~~~~~~

The resignation of Ken Schisler as chair of the Maryland Public Service Commission is understandable on the part of Mr. Schisler, but nevertheless, a dark day for Maryland.

There are three very good posts about electric de-regulation by Maryland Bloggers Alliance members that I’d like to call to your attention; one post by Maryland Conservatarian and two posts by Stephanie Dray writing on her blog, “Jousting for Justice.”

Maryland Conservatarian
http://marylandconservatarian.blogspot.com/2007/02/with-ehrlich-gone-so-does-blaming.html, Thursday, February 01, 2007, “With Ehrlich gone, so does blaming the sitting Governor”
_____

Jousting for Justice
http://politics.stephaniedray.com/?q=node/204
“Maryland Dems Will Let BGE Steal Your Lunch Money,” Submitted by Stephanie Dray on Thu, 2007-02-01 02:46.
______

Jousting for Justice
http://politics.stephaniedray.com/?q=node/205
“Blame and Responsibility in Maryland's Energy Debacle,” Submitted by Stephanie Dray on Fri, 2007-02-02 03:50.

[Also see the following Tentacle columns: Shock and Amps; Shock and Amps – the Second Candle; Governor Crothers, Meet Dan Rodricks; and Electrocuting The Elephant.]

Or go here for a listing of old blog posts on electric deregulation in my electronic storage closet.
_____

Maryland Conservatarian and Jousting for Justice are two blogs and two individuals for whom I have a great deal of admiration and respect. All of what they said was thoughtful and well written, however all three posts contain errors…

First off, former Maryland Governor Parris Glendening did not support electric deregulation. He signed into law legislation that was veto-proof. He fought the legislation aggressively and only agreed to not veto it anyway when he was given the concession of the rate caps – which is perhaps the fatal fly in the ointment. See footnote.[1]




Secondly, I know for a fact and first-hand that former Governor Robert L. Ehrlich cared greatly about the affects of deregulation. Governor Ehrlich’s plan to address the challenges was far superior to the smoke and mirrors political pandering adopted by the special session of the Maryland General Assembly. Read: “What a sham!” Friday, June 16, 2006 by Barry Rascovar

As hindsight has proven that the 1999 electric deregulation legislation went horribly wrong. I do not fault any of the main protagonists for bringing about the legislation; however, there were those of us who were profoundly upset over the issue of the rate cap.

What was - and remains reprehensible is the partisan political games that ensued in 2006. In short, what is reprehensible is the response to, what was otherwise, legislation, that was brought about by most involved, for the purpose of better serving the citizens of Maryland - - that fell victim to the law of unintended consequences.

The response last year had nothing to do with what was in the best interests of the citizens of Maryland and everything to do with electing a Democrat governor of the state of Maryland.

The situational ethics and intellectual hypocrisy of the Baltimore Sun’s coverage is of historic proportions. What the Baltimore Sun did to the Public Service Chair Ken Schisler ought to dissuade anyone from ever stepping up the plate in Maryland in an attempt to serve and attempt to make a contribution to our great state for decades.

Governor O’Malley – then Mayor O’Malley - and I are both in the “former mayor’s club” and my personal experience with him has allowed me to have developed respect for him. However, the political bankruptcy of the O’Malley campaign for governor over the response to electric-deregulation-gone-badly, will never be among the many reasons for my respect for Martin O’Malley.

Off the top of my head the 1999 legislation rolled back the rates to 1993 and then froze them well into the mid-2005, 2006s. This was terrible mistake. There was no way that competition was to be realized under that construct.

PSC Chair Ken Schisler warned the Maryland General Assembly well in advance on numerous occasions. See footnote for the entire article: “We Warned Them," Says PSC's Schisler, Friday, March 24, 2006, WBAL Radio.[2]

“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.

Yet listen to Speaker Busch's response to Kenneth Schisler's concerns - here.

Additionally, “The Sun Lies” wrote on Jane 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.

Compare this information with what the Baltimore Sun misleadingly stated in their editorial on January 31, 2007. Remember, Mr. Schisler repeatedly advised the Maryland General Assembly – contrary to what the Sun suggests in “Help wanted” an editorial originally published by the Baltimore Sun on January 31, 2007.

Additionally, The Baltimore Sun continues to not understand the role of the Public Service Commission to this day. It is not a legislative body and the PSC can only facilitate and administer the laws promulgated by the Maryland General Assembly. And that goes for any chair, whether they are rabidly pro-business or anti-business.

As far as Mr. Schisler’s reputation, the responsibility for any alleged diminution of his reputation lies at the feet of the persistent and consistent misrepresentations of the Baltimore Sun and the Maryland Democratic leadership who choose to tar and feather a scapegoat instead of rolling up their sleeves, and accepting responsibility to address the challenges. It was easier to throw Mr. Schisler under a bus.

Now take a look, for example, at “Help wanted,” an editorial originally published by the Baltimore Sun on January 31, 2007:

[…]

The resignation of the chairman of Maryland's Public Service Commission, Kenneth D. Schisler, is a welcome, if overdue, event. Mr. Schisler's credibility had bottomed out quite some time ago, and his lingering presence on the board threatened some ugly legal machinations. And while Mr. Schisler's actions (or inactions) are hardly the primary reason Baltimore Gas and Electric customers are likely to face much higher electricity bills this summer, he clearly wasn't going to be part of any long-term solution.

[…]

The first item on the agenda for this new PSC will certainly be BGE's pending rate proposal. But the commission should also be forward-looking. What's needed is a thorough assessment of the fundamental relationship between the state and the utilities.

Baltimore Sun David Nitkin wrote on March 15, 2006, in an article titled, “From quiet delegate to center of PSC storm:”

The former delegate from the Eastern Shore has suddenly become far more visible - and a much bigger target - than he was as a young backbencher known for his affable demeanor and conservative views.

Old colleagues in Annapolis are heaping criticism on Schisler, saying he oversaw the terminations of high-level commission staff members who had the knowledge and ability to stand up to utility companies such as Baltimore Gas and Electric Co.

Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, a Democratic candidate for governor, has called for Schisler's resignation, launching an online petition drive for his ouster that the mayor said had garnered 1,000 signatures in a few hours.

But Schisler, 36, is standing firm. He said his agency has no legal authority to demand lower rates for consumers after legislatively imposed caps on electricity rates come off this summer.

"The commission did not have any jurisdiction to deny that price," Schisler said. "There simply were no mistakes." (My emphasis.)

There is essentially no wiggle-room for the PSC - as far as the implementation of the deregulation and the administering the wreckage of the 1999 electric deregulation legislation. There is very little either the governor or the Public Service Commission can do.

The responsibility rests solely with the Maryland General Assembly.

Meanwhile Governor O’Malley is painted into a corner.

With the Democrats own soon-to-be-handpicked Chair of the Public Service Commission and not having Governor Ehrlich around to misrepresent and scapegoat, who are they going to electrocute next for global market forces that have precipitously escalated the cost of electricity for the last seven years – while the legislature slept?

Now that Baltimore Sun has elected our current governor and now gotten rid of the Public Service Chair, whom will it electrocute next?
______

References:

Maryland Conservatarian
http://marylandconservatarian.blogspot.com/2007/02/with-ehrlich-gone-so-does-blaming.html, Thursday, February 01, 2007, “With Ehrlich gone, so does blaming the sitting Governor”
_____

Jousting for Justice
http://politics.stephaniedray.com/?q=node/204
“Maryland Dems Will Let BGE Steal Your Lunch Money,” Submitted by Stephanie Dray on Thu, 2007-02-01 02:46.
______

Jousting for Justice
http://politics.stephaniedray.com/?q=node/205
“Blame and Responsibility in Maryland's Energy Debacle,” Submitted by Stephanie Dray on Fri, 2007-02-02 03:50.
______

“Deregulation: Six years of complacency, three weeks of panic”
http://www.gazette.net/stories/031706/polia%20s194213_31949.shtml
Friday, March 17, 2006 by Thomas Dennison, Gazette Staff Writer

http://www.gazette.net/stories/061606/poliiss183008_31948.shtml
“What a sham!”
Friday, June 16, 2006 by Barry Rascovar

June 7, 2006
Electrocuting The Elephant
Kevin E. Dayhoff
In response to a judge's decision on May 30 to overturn Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s "April Plan," to phase-in increases in electric rates, the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) decided last Friday to go back to the original "March Plan" to phase in Baltimore Gas & Electric's deregulated electric rates due to go into effect July 1.

April 12, 2006
Governor Crothers, Meet Dan Rodricks
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Recently Baltimore Sun columnist Dan Rodricks wrote a remarkable column that may earn itself an Olympic honorable mention in the annals of populist political propaganda: “Legislators grabbed power to put public back in Public Service Commission (PSC).”

April 5, 2006
Shock and Amps – the Second Candle
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Members of the Maryland General Assembly’s leadership deserve a lifetime achievement award for ducking their responsibilities, scapegoating and obfuscating the truth in their response to the rate caps coming off Baltimore Gas and Electric as a result of the 1999 electric deregulation legislation.

April 4, 2006
Shock and Amps
Kevin E. Dayhoff
The recent power surge of Maryland General Assembly legislative initiatives in response to the end of the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company’s electric rate price freeze ought to be referred to as the “Omnibus Rolling Blackout Acts of 2006.”

20060915 KDDC Court ruling on firing the Maryland Public Service ...
16 Sep 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff
20060622 KDDC How Legislators voted on SB1 Electric Rate Restructuring ... 20060622 KDDC Gov Vetoes General Assemblys Electric Rate Hike Plan ... Governor Ehrlich Vetoes General Assembly’s Electric Rate Hike Plan; Supports Consumer ...
Kevin Dayhoff - http://www.kevindayhoff.com/index.html

200060616 KDDC What a sham by Barry Rascovar
17 Jun 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff
They were furious at the Republican-appointed Public Service Commission for imposing a 21 percent electric rate rise on 1.2 million Central Maryland residents in July, with gradual monthly increases bringing the total increase by next ...
Kevin Dayhoff - http://www.kevindayhoff.com/index.html

20060622 KDDC How Legislators voted on SB1 Electric Rate Restructuring
22 Jun 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff
How Legislators voted on SB1 Electric Rate Restructuring SB 1 Economic Matters Report No.2, The President, "Public Service Commission - Electric Industry Restructuring" Voting on ON THIRD READING (Rules Suspended) (Emerg) in the House. ...

Kevin Dayhoff - http://www.kevindayhoff.com/index.html
20060622 KDDC Gov Vetoes General Assemblys Electric Rate Hike Plan
22 Jun 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff
Governor Ehrlich Vetoes General Assembly’s Electric Rate Hike Plan; Supports Consumer Choice Without Interest Charges. Thu 6/22/2006 3:31 PM. ANNAPOLIS – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today vetoed Senate Bill 1, the Maryland General ...
Kevin Dayhoff - http://www.kevindayhoff.com/index.html

20060707 KDDC Recent MGA actions on Electric Dereg will hurt ...
7 Jul 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff
Recent General Assembly actions on Electric Deregulation will hurt Marylanders. July 7, 2006. In light of Maryland's Court of Appeal's decision today to halt the General Assembly's firing of the Public Service Commission, ...
Kevin Dayhoff - http://www.kevindayhoff.com/index.html

20060615 KDDC Ehrlich announces Public Hearing on GA Electric Rate Leg
15 Jun 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff
ANNAPOLIS – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today announced he would hold a public hearing on the Maryland General Assembly’s attempt to mitigate rising electricity costs for Baltimore Gas & Electric customers. ...
Kevin Dayhoff - http://www.kevindayhoff.com/index.html

20060624 KDDC As Confusion reigns over Upcoming Electric Rates
25 Jun 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff
As confusion reigns over the BGE electric rate increase, the Democratic Party posted an advertisement on their web-site, The Baltimore Sun, claiming to have a “calculator” that will calculate the difference in your electric bill by ...
Kevin Dayhoff - http://www.kevindayhoff.com/index.html

20060331 Gazette gets MD electric dereg debacle correctly
31 Mar 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff
If legislative leaders use their preposterous PSC⁄electric rate proposals as bargaining chips, a workable compromise is possible. If legislators finally heed veteran election officials, a sensible balloting plan could surface. ...
Kevin Dayhoff - http://www.kevindayhoff.com/index.html

20060620 KDDC MGA Spec Session June 15 2006 - A review
20 Jun 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff
Unless you have been on vacation for several weeks, by now you are aware that the Maryland General Assembly met in Special Session on June Thursday, June 15th, 2006 and passed Senate Bill 1: “Public Service Commission - Electric ...
Kevin Dayhoff - http://www.kevindayhoff.com/index.html

20060703 KDDC Judge Beck put on prospective list for Public ...
4 Jul 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff
Late last week, aides for the governor said that it was premature to gauge what the governor will or will not do, in the face of yet another in a series of political squabbles over the unexpected negative outcome of the 1999 electric ...
Kevin Dayhoff - http://www.kevindayhoff.com/index.html

20060614 KDDC Lights Out, the second shoe
14 Jun 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff
The legislature's ire has focused on Constellation Energy Group, parent of Baltimore Gas & Electric Co., the state's largest electric utility. In an effort to blackmail the utility into agreeing to below-market rates, it tried to block ...
Kevin Dayhoff - http://www.kevindayhoff.com/index.html

20060612 KDDC 2006 1st Special Session hearing information
12 Jun 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff
Subject: - Electric Restructuring Legislation - Joint with the Senate Finance Committee NOTE : Members of the Senate Special Commission on Electric Utility Deregulation Implementation are invited to attend. ...
Kevin Dayhoff - http://www.kevindayhoff.com/index.html

20060620 KDDC Photo of the MGA’s attempts to mitigate the 72 ...
21 Jun 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff
This is a photograph of the Maryland General Assembly’s attempts to mitigate the 72 % electric rate increase as a result of the 1999 “Electric Utility Industry Restructuring” – SB 300. The locomotive is named “Senate Bill 1.” ...
Kevin Dayhoff - http://www.kevindayhoff.com/index.html

20060703 KDDC Judge Beck nominated for Public Service Commission
4 Jul 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff
The legislation adopted June 15th, fired the current Public Service Commission, considered by many to be the scapegoats of the electric deregulation gone awry in the face of a difficult election year. ...
Kevin Dayhoff - http://www.kevindayhoff.com/index.html

20060706 KDDC Blog mentions my April 12 Tentacle column
7 Jul 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff
One of the main architects of the 1999 electric industry deregulation legislation was Senate President Thomas V. (Mike) Miller (D. Anne Arundel). Seven years later, legislation that was once thought of as brilliant – has failed ...
Kevin Dayhoff - http://www.kevindayhoff.com/index.html

20060523 KDDC BE editorial MD legislators fail basic economics24 May 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff
In 1999 legislators capped electricity prices at Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. for six years at prices 6.5 percent below 1993 rates, squashing electricity competition (who would compete for below market rates?) and paving the way for the ...
Kevin Dayhoff - http://www.kevindayhoff.com/index.html

####

[1] In an article written by Gazette writer Tom Dennison on March 17th, 2006, he, in part, provided some exculpatory information on the role of former Governor Parris Glendening in the electric deregulation mess. The article is titled, “Deregulation: Six years of complacency, three weeks of panic.”

[…]

Electricity deregulation was a national movement, promoted by power companies like Enron, the Houston energy giant that filed for bankruptcy in 2001 after widespread corporate and accounting fraud. In 1998 and 1999, Enron hired one of Annapolis’ most influential lobbying firms, Alexander & Cleaver, for more than $177,000 to lobby for the bill, according to state records.

While both Democrats and Republicans were pushing for deregulation, it was the General Assembly’s top leadership that led the charge.

Miller, then Senate Finance Chairman Thomas L. Bromwell (D), then House Environmental Matters Chairman Ronald Guns and Speaker Taylor, were ready to go to the mat against their governor, Parris N. Glendening, to pass the bill.

Glendening (D), who had been overwhelmingly re-elected just four months earlier, had deep reservations about deregulation. Democratic lawmakers, however, made it clear that they were prepared to override his veto if he decided to stand in their way.

‘‘The governor was never convinced that deregulation of utilities was a good idea from a public policy standpoint,” recalled Fred Hoover, who served as Glendening’s director of the Maryland Energy Administration and is now a lawyer in Washington. ‘‘There was significant interest on the part of the legislative leadership to do this.”

The bill was approved in late March 1999. Glendening eventually signed it, but not until he had made clear his concerns about how it would play out for ratepayers and the lack of a renewable energy component in the bill.

‘‘I am hopeful, but not yet convinced, that the cap ... will assist consumers in purchasing market rate electricity,” Glendening wrote in a Feb. 25, 1999, letter to the legislative leadership obtained by The Gazette.

But the competition envisioned by deregulation’s backers never materialized.

[…]

Read the entire article here.

[2]
“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.

####