Friday, October 26, 2012
The Maryland Public Service Commission today eliminated the storm bill stabilization 24-hour grace period.
Effectively immediately, Pepco and BGE customers will not be charged for sales lost during the first 24 hours of major storm power outages, by order of the Maryland Public Service Commission. Area residents this summer were outraged to find themselves charged for power during the weeklong outages caused by the June 29 derecho. The charges came as part of a Bill Stabilization Adjustment program, which allowed utilities to bill customers for the first 24 hours after a power outage, effectively charging customers for power when they have none. The program was designed to increase efficiency, according to the commission. Friday's orders, affecting Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, Delmarva Power and Light Company, Potomac Electric Power …
Sunday, July 8, 2012
A Severe Weather Alert was issued for both counties through this evening.
Update, 11:50 p.m.: The severe thunderstorm warning has been extended to 12:30 a.m. July 9. The National Weather Service warns that there will be ground to cloud lighting and people should move indoors. Original Post, 4:45 p.m.: The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 10 p.m., with the worst of the predicted storm moving through the area sometime around 5 p.m. NWS describes it as a dangerous line of storms. "If you are in its path, move indoors to a sturdy building and stay away from windows." the forecasters stated. The storm could produce winds up to 60 MPH and large hail. A heat advisory remains in effect through 8 p.m. this evening. According to spokespeople for Pepco and Baltimore Gas & Electric, all …
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Some residents still left in the dark and heat nearly a week after Friday's damaging derecho storm.
It may take until Sunday to restore some remaining power outages in Montgomery County, according to Pepco. Nearly a week after Friday’s violent storm, 17,200 remained in the dark in the county Thursday, with concentrations near Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring and Wheaton, according to Pepco Spokesman Clay Anderson. By Wednesday, the utility had achieved 90 percent restoration – a number initially projected to take until Friday night. Thursday, Pepco had reached 98 percent restoration, and expected to be “very close to 100 percent” by Friday, Anderson said. “Overwhelmingly, our customers have been restored,” Anderson said. “But that in no way diminishes our efforts. In fact, it accelerates them, because we want everyone to be …
Monday, July 2, 2012
What you need to know about tree removal on your property following Friday's derecho storm.
Transportation officials are continuing to remove trees from county roads following Friday’s violent storms, and homeowners are flooding the county’s information line with calls about downed trees on their property. When it comes to downed trees near your home, be sure to check who owns the property before calling a tree removal company—it may not be your problem. “If the tree was growing on private property and fell over, it’s the responsibility of the private homeowner,” said Esther Bowring, a county spokeswoman. “If it’s a tree growing on publicly owned property, whatever entity owns that property has the responsibility.” Residents can report downed trees by calling 311 or visiting montgomerycountymd.gov/311. But with the county’s 311 …
Hundreds of traffic lights are out and Metro must detour around downed power lines. HOV restrictions are lifted.
With hundreds of traffic signals still out and downed tree limbs blocking Metro routes, Monday's commute was shaping up to be especially bad as the Washington, DC, region struggled to recover from Friday's powerful storms. The Maryland State Highway Administration is urging commuters to take public transportation as they head into work, while Metro warned of rail and bus delays. HOV driving restrictions on Montgomery County’s Interstate 270 will be suspended to facilitate the flow of traffic. More than 400 traffic signals were without power in Montgomery County Sunday and several roads remain blocked with fallen trees and limbs, according to an SHA news release. SHA is warning commuters who need to drive to leave early and expect delays. “…
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Primary concerns are high heat coupled with more severe weather expected late this afternoon and evening and restoring power to 800,000 people.
UPDATED (2:19 p.m.)—Gov. Martin O'Malley said state officials are assessing damage across Maryland in the wake of a severe line of thunderstorms that has knocked out power to more than 820,000 customers statewide. In a conference call with reporters, the governor and other state officials said they are assessing the need for cooling centers as the state faces expected severe hot weather over the next several days. Power restoration is also a priority as emergency management officials say they are tracking a line of severe storms that are expected to hit the state as early as late Saturday afternoon. "The utilities are taking the lead on this and the counties are supporting them," O'Malley said. "We're helping [the counties]." Across …
Saturday, August 27, 2011
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Al Carr
4:15 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012
Members of the General Assembly have been pushing for this change for a while now. I am glad that the PSC has finally seen the light. http://mlis.state.md.us/2011rs/billfile/hb1278.htm more ›