East Baltimore community pushes back against BGE installing external gas regulators on homes
BALTIMORE -- More Baltimore residents are joining the lawsuit that pushes back against Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) installing external gas regulators on their homes.
Community members in the Milton-Montford neighborhood in East Baltimore say the utility company forced residents to have the gas regulators installed on their narrow streets while ruining the facades and marble steps of their homes.
"People have been here for generations, for decades, who take pride in these marble steps," attorney Thiru Vignarajah said. "There was a time in Baltimore's history when people would come out and polish their marble steps. That was the pride we took in our homes. We have traded those away for BGE's external regulators which is unsafe, unwanted, not required and is yet mandated by a monopoly company that is padding their own profits."
Leaders in the community are calling on Black residents in East Baltimore to "educate themselves and organize against BGE."
They say BGE's monthly bills appeared to go up after the regulators were installed. Residents say they are getting monthly bills of $300 to $500.
"They backed us in a corner and we had no choice but to accept these regulators," a resident said. "They tore my house up to install them and left it to be to do the repairs. I am on a fixed income. I can't afford it and it is still in the same shape. This really is not fair."
Last month, Baltimore City residents filed a lawsuit against BGE after the utility company turned off service when customers refused to give their consent to work outside of their homes.
Baltimore residents are now seeking an injunction to stop BGE from installing exterior gas regulators and from threatening to shut off gas service.
When residents protested, BGE shut off their service after the utility company said customers denied them access to their equipment at the homes.
Three women were arrested after protesting and disrupting work on Warren Avenue in Federal Hill. They were charged with interfering with a public utility, trespassing on posted property and refusing to leave public grounds.
Residents in the Milton-Montford neighborhood, a predominantly Black community, said BGE contractors forced them into accepting the external gas regulators without a chance to respond.
"We did not want these regulators," said Soretha Staten, Vice President of the Milton-Montford neighborhood. "One, we didn't know we were getting these regulators. The only thing we knew was there were signs on the street saying the streets were closed, and then signs on the door saying they were putting these regulators in. We were never afforded to give input."
Hundreds of Baltimore residents have joined this lawsuit.
BGE sent WJZ News this statement:
"BGE installed natural gas service regulators on the exterior of homes in the Milton-Montford neighborhood in 2022. Gas regulator installations in this community are part of important work that has been reviewed and approved by the Maryland Public Service Commission, was granted a permit by Baltimore City, and is in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and BGE standards. The goal of this work is to provide customers with natural gas in the safest and most reliable manner possible.
"Gas service work incurs no additional cost to customers. Customers who have a question about their BGE bill are encouraged to contact us online at bge.com or call us at 800-685-0123."
Previous stories
- BGE unauthorized to work on Federal Hill block that protesters were arrested, lawyer says
- City Council hears complaints from Baltimore residents over BGE's installation of gas regulators
- Residents suing BGE urge historic preservation to forbid gas regulator installations on 100-year-old homes
- West Baltimore residents join class action lawsuit against BGE
- Customers arrested protesting BGE gas equipment sue utility as work continues in Federal Hill
- Judge denies BGE's request to cancel preliminary hearing in class action lawsuit
- Baltimore residents argue in lawsuit BGE can't force 'dangerous' exterior gas regulator on customers
- Baltimore homeowners notch first win, judge orders restraining order to halt BGE work
