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Delmarva Power Rate Increase Proposal Sparks Public Outcry

By: Bryan Russo // December 23, 2010
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The largest Eastern Shore electric company is asking to raise monthly delivery rates, which are calculated by the cost of the poles and the wires that carry the electricity.
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The largest Eastern Shore electric company is asking to raise monthly delivery rates, which are calculated by the cost of the poles and the wires that carry the electricity.

The leading electricity provider on the Delmarva Penninsula says it needs an increase in monthly rates to cover increased costs and system upgrades. But the public is already lashing out at the thought of higher electric bills.

Delmarva Power officials are hoping they'll have more luck with the Maryland Public Service Commission than they did with the one in neighboring Delaware.

The region's leading power provider says it needs a 3 percent increase in the old line state which would add about $4 to each customers monthly bill, and would raise almost $18 million.

But a similar proposal in Delaware, one that would have raised $24 million and forced those who use less electricity to pay a higher percentage of the infrastructure fees was tabled, after more than 40 angry residents packed into the service commission's offices in Dover.

Delmarva Power's rate-increase proposal in Maryland would begin in July of 2011 and would impact over 200,000 homes.

Delaware officials will revisit the proposal in January.

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