According to the plan approved by the Maryland Public Utility Commission, the 72 percent rate hike for BGE is in effect. It is scheduled for July 2006.

However, BGE also has an opt-in plan that makes the July hike only 15 percent. BGE has not contacted me personally, so I wonder if customers will have to contact BGE to get this opt in plan.

Unless the Maryland legislature holds a special session, the rate hike will happen. Therefore it is best to opt in now. The next legislature may reduce the overall hike, but that will not be until after July 2006.

The Maryland Public Utility Commission, according to published reports, rejected an interest charge BGE wanted to add to all customers that opt-in. Therefore opting in will only phase in the overall hike over the next year-and-a-half, starting in July. The plan should not add any extra charges in addition to that.

Anyone who has dealt with BGE on the opt-in, feel free to add to this.