Maryland faces steep energy challenge

[jpak]

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/06_24-56/GOV

The energy report that began Gov. Martin O'Malley's tenure in Annapolis pulled no punches - and described a system as broken as his recent efforts to stop electricity rate hikes.
Soaring bills that arrive each month in Marylanders' mailboxes are not due to rising rates alone; the incomplete, inept, and incapable state energy system also is to blame.

In response, Mr. O'Malley's administration has begun the nascent steps of creating an energy policy aimed to prevent future situations like the 50 percent Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. rate increase that took effect on June 1.

"Maryland is not well prepared to face future energy challenges and impending energy crises," said the first sentence in the "Major Findings" section of the 2007 Energy Transition Report. "Years of benign neglect by the state government have resulted in disarray and loss of leadership with regard to energy policy."

What follows in the report are a litany of problems: electricity consumption rising about 15 times faster than generation between 1999 and 2005; out-of-state imports at 28 percent and rising; $500 million in costs caused by congested transmission; utility jobs and taxes being sent out of Maryland and as far away as Indiana.

<more>