Historic preservation rejects BGE's plan to install gas regulators on Baltimore's historic homes

BALTIMORE - The Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) voted to turn down all applications to move forward with BGE installing external gas regulators unless the homeowner requests it.

Thiru Vignarajah, the lawyer who represents the homeowners, said after Tuesday's meeting this is a major win for those living in the historic homes.

This means that only homeowners who apply or approve for that gas regulator to be installed will be approved.

"At least for the homeowners in the historic districts, they now know their choice is the ultimate answer," Vignarajah said. 

The utility company has installed thousands of exterior regulators across Baltimore City. 

A Circuit Court judge issued a Temporary Restraining Order in June, prohibiting the installation of the regulators and preventing BGE from shutting off service to customers who refuse the regulator installation.  

BGE representatives spoke in front of the board and said the regulators are being installed for safety reasons, citing data that shows they are essential for safety and efficiency when it comes to quick access during an emergency.

"By locating gas pressure regulators in an outdoor location, high-pressure gas is prevented from ever entering the house," said Danielle Goodman, from BGE. 

But homeowners disagree. 

"Do you know how easy it would be to tamper with this?" said Liz, a Baltimore homeowner.

CHAP Commissioner Harry Spikes said the decision to get them installed Is now in the hands of the homeowner.

"Their home is their home," Spikes said. "There's a lot of people who care about this issue and giving them a choice to decide what they put in their home or outside their home." 

Homeowners say this is just a small battle in the overall war because it only applies to historic homes in Baltimore.

There is now legislation making its way through City Hall that would require BGE workers to get approval from all homeowners before installing regulators.

The issue of exterior regulators led to three city customers being arrested in June during a protest in Federal Hill. The women had been protesting the utility's service shut-offs. Charges were later dropped.  

The committee also voted to put guidelines in place so when historic homeowners come to them, they have information that allows them to make that decision. 

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• Customers arrested protesting BGE gas equipment sue utility as work continues in Federal Hill
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