EHRLICH - BGE 72% RATE INCREASE STANDS

Ehrlich’s “Loan Shark Deal� Will Cost Marylanders More In Long Run

BALTIMORE, MD (April 20, 2006) –
Today, Martin O’Malley released his detailed, comprehensive plan to provide immediate relief from the impending BGE rate hikes for Maryland families. O’Malley’s plan would provide for an independent Public Service Commission, establish a “shock absorber� to keep energy rates affordable, and impose a moratorium on the proposed merger between BGE and Florida Power and Light. O’Malley will also work to ensure that all residents are automatically enrolled in the “shock absorber� plan, and not be subject to an “opt-in� requirement that disproportionately harms seniors and low-income Marylanders. The plan is available online at www.martinomalley.com.

Early this evening, Governor Ehrlich and BGE released their deal forged in secret behind closed doors. The plan would subject Marylanders to a 19% rate increase this July, another 5% increase in January 2007, another 25% increase in June 2007 and another increase to full market rates in January 2008. Full market rates could be even higher than the 72% increase. The Ehrlich-BGE Deal would also require Marylanders to “opt-in� to their deal or be hit with the 72% increase in just a few weeks.

“This Ehrlich-BGE Deal is deeply disappointing to Maryland families and businesses. Bob Ehrlich is asking Marylanders to opt-in to a loan shark deal that will cost Maryland families
more than 72% in the long run,� said O’Malley/Brown campaign manager Jonathan Epstein. “This is what happens when independent, real regulators aren’t on the job.�