Smart meter foes plan to protest BGE rate rise

Smart meter opponents plan to rally outside the last of five planned Maryland Public Service Commission public hearings on a Baltimore Gas and Electric proposal to hike electric and gas rates by about $15 a month extra for a typical household. The proposed rate hike, which must be approved by the PSC, would primarily help the utility recoup the costs of rolling out its wireless smart meter program. Maryland Smart Meter Awareness, a group that opposes the meters, said it will hold a rally before the last hearing, at 5 p.m. March 17, outside the building where the PSC meets, at 6 St. Paul St. in Baltimore. The first hearing will be held at 7 p.m. tonight in Annapolis in the Joint Committee Hearing Room of the Legislative Services Building at 90 State Circle. Other hearings are planned for March 7 in Towson, March 9 in Ellicott City and March 16 in Bel Air.