Maryland Gives Customers a Break on Utility Cutoffs

Some local residents won't have to worry about their utilities being cut off soon if they've fallen behind on bills during the unusually cold winter and spring.

The Maryland Public Service Commission has ordered a two-month extension of the cold-weather period, when certain utilities are barred from terminating service to customers who have fallen behind on their regular bill payments -- provided the customer has made other payment arrangements.

The new deadline is May 31, instead of March 31.

The order, issued Friday, applies to Baltimore Gas & Electric Co., Potomac Electric Power Co. and Delmarva Power Co.

Those utilities had proposed the extension during proceedings the commission initiated in February. The commission says it's urging all Maryland utilities to consider a similar extension.