THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT, THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: WELCOME TO STATED STATE.

JUST AHEAD ON OUR PROGRAM THIS WEEK, AN ELECTRIC SHOCK.

WHY MARYLAND CONSUMERS WILL PAY HUNDREDS MORE FOR ELECTRICITY.

AND ALMOST TIP-OFF TIME FOR THE BASKETBALL SEASON THAT WILL LEAD TO THE CIAA TOURNAMENT IN BALTIMORE.

>>> FIRST THE ELECTION IS 18 DAYS AWAY BUT ALREADY VOTES ARE BEING COUNTED.

THE CANVASING PROCESS GOT UNDERWAY FOR MAIL-IN BALLOTS.

WE SPOKE WITH DAVID GARREIS DIRECTOR OF THE ANNE ARUNDEL BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

>> AT OUR CAMPUSES WE HAVE BIPARTISAN PAIRS WORKING TOGETHER IN TEAMS TO REVIEW THE BALLOTS THAT MEANS WE HAVE A REPUBLICAN AND A DEMOCRAT AND THEY ARE PARTNERS THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS.

THEY WILL GET A BATCH OF 50 BALLOTS.

WE GIVE THEM A REPORT THAT SAYS THE NAMES OF THE FOLKS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE IN THAT BATCH AND OUR BIPARTISAN PARTNERS CHECK THE BALLOTS AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE SIGNED AND EVERYTHING HAS BEEN RECEIVED ON TIME WE ARE PREELECTION CANVASING WILL BE.

WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO WATCH YOU WILL SEE THEM EXAMINING THE ENVELOPES.

AND OPENING THE MAIL PULLING OUT THE BALLOTS REVIEWING THE BALLOTS AND MAKING SURE THAT EVERY I IS DOTTED AND EVERY T IS CROSSED AND PUT IT THROUGH THE HIGH SPEED TABULATING MACHINES.

AND IN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY WE HAVE TWO OF THOSE.

WE WILL PUT THOSE THROUGH THE PACES.

WE HAVE NINE DAYS OF PREELECTION CANVASING SCHEDULED.

HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET 60,000, 75,000 BALLOTS COUNTED BEFORE ELECTION DAY.

WANT TO ENCOURAGE ALL THE MAIL-IN VOTERS IN YOU HAVE A BALLOT DON'T WAIT TO GET YOUR BALLOT BACK TO US.

TRY TO RETURN YOUR BALLOT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

THAT MAKES THAT ENSURES WE GET YOUR BALLOT AND GET YOUR VOTE COUNTED AND THERE'S NO -- IT REDUCES THE RISK OF YOUR BALLOT NOT BEING RECEIVED IN TIME.

NOBODY WANTS THAT.

>> Jeff: HOW -- I KNOW THE NUMBERS ARE CHANGING ALL THE TIME, BUT YOUR GENERAL SENSE OF WHAT THE VOLUME IS SO FAR COMPARED TO PREVIOUS CYCLES?

>> COMPARED TO THE 2022 ELECTION WE WILL SEE HIGHER TURNOUT.

WE HAVE DEFINITELY SEEN THE ELECTORATE AND THE VOTERS ARE MUCH MORE ACTIVE AND ENERGIZED.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE NOTED IN THE PRIMARY IS THAT IT WAS VERY, VERY SLOW.

BUT FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION WE ARE EXCITED THAT TURNOUT HAS PICKED UP WE ARE EXPECTING IN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY WE ARE EXPECTING TO HAVE 100,000 MAIL-IN BALLOTS RETURNED.

THAT IS A THIRD OF THE VOTERS WILL VOTE-BY-MAIL IN.

AND A THIRD WILL VOTE BY EARLY VOTING AND A THIRD WILL VOTE ON ELECTION DAY.

RUNNING THREE PROCESSES FOR YOUR VOTERS.

BUT EVERYBODY HAS A LOT OF OPTIONS HOW TO VOTE AND HOW TO GET THEIR BALLOT CAST.% SO IN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY YOU HAVE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES.

IN MARYLAND ITSELF, THE STATE OF MARYLAND OVERALL WE HAVE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES AND WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE VOTERS TO GET THEIR BALLOTS.

AND MAKE IT EASY AS POSSIBLE.

WE HAVE OUR DROP BOXES SETUP IN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY.

WE HAVE 32 OF THEM.

EVERY JURISDICTION HAS PLENTY OF DROP BOXES THEY ARE OPEN.

AND THAT'S THE BEST WAY FOR THE VOTERS TO RETURN THEIR BALLOT IF THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY.

IS TO USE THE DROP BOXES.

BECAUSE THAT REDUCES OR ELIMINATES THE POSSIBILITY OF USPS LOSING YOUR BALLOT OR SOMETHING GETTING LOST IN THE MAIL SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WITH THE DROP BOXES YOU DROP IT OFF AND IT COMES BACK TO US WE CAN CHECK IT IN AND GET YOU YOUR CREDIT AND RECEIVE IT RIGHT AWAY.

IT REDUCES THE MIDDLEMAN AND CUTS THE TIME-OUT OF THE PROCESS.

>> Jeff: HOW MANY PEOPLE KNOW THE VOTE TOTALS THAT YOU'VE TABULATED SO FAR?

I ASK BECAUSE ANYBODY REMOTELY CONNECTED TO POLITICS WOULD LOVE TO KNOW AT THIS STAGE YOU KNOW WHO IS WINNING?

>> SO WE CAN'T RELEASE THE RESULTS YET.

PART OF THE PREELECTION PROCESSES WE KEEP THE RESULTING EMBARGOED.

EVERYBODY INVOLVED HAS TO SIGN A NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENT AND KEEP EVERYTHING YOU KNOW, KIND OF ON THE DOWN LOW.

BUT WE WILL BE RELEASING THE RESULTS AT 8:00 P.M. ON ELECTION DAY.

SO WHAT THAT MEANS, IS THAT OBVIOUSLY ALL THE RESULTS FROM ELECTION DAY AND ALL THE EARLY VOTING RESULTING AND ALL OF THE PREELECTION BALLOTS.

WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO GET AS MANY AS WE CAN COUNTED SO ON ELECTION DAY YOU GET A GOOD ACCEPTS WHERE THE RACE IS AND WHERE ALL THE EVERYTHING IS AS FAR AS THE RESULTS GO.

>> Jeff: ONCE SOMEBODY HAS RETURNED A MAIL-IN BALLOT, EITHER THROUGH THE MAIL OR THE DROP BOX, SAY THEY CHANGE THEIR MIND.

IS IT TOO LATE?

CAN THEY GO TO AN IN-PERSON VOTING LOCATION AND SOMEHOW SCRATCH THE FIRST BALLOT?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

IF WE'VE RECEIVED YOUR BALLOT BACK WE CAN'T RETURN IT TO YOU.

WHAT THAT MEANS ONCE YOU'VE CAST YOUR BALLOT YOU'VE MADE YOUR DECISION.

IT'S IMPORTANT MAKE SURE YOU THINK ABOUT IT CAREFULLY.

MAKE SURE YOU ARE DOING YOUR RESEARCH.

GO ON-LINE GO TO THE WEBSITES OF ALL THE CANDIDATES.

YOU CAN -- THERE'S ALL KINDS OF RESOURCES OUT THERE THAT PEOPLE CAN USE.

BUT, YEAH, YOU HAVE TO DO YOUR RESEARCH.

I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE GET YOUR BALLOTS BACK TO US TO GET THEM COUNTED AND GET ALL RESULTS OUT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> Jeff: LET'S TALK ABOUT IN-PERSON VOTING EARLY VOTING THAT STARTS NEXT WEEK.

IT WILL LOOK LIKE A TRADITIONAL POLLING PLACE.

LOTS OF CAMPAIGN SIGNS.

WHAT DO PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW IF ANYTHING TO SHOW UPSTARTING NEXT THURSDAY.

>> EARLY VOTING IS THE 24-31.

SO AGAIN, IT WILL BE A REAL EXCITING CHANCE FOR EVERYBODY TO VOTE.

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY HAS 10 EARLY VOTING SITES ALL THE METRO COUNTIES HAVE PLENTY OF EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS.

IT'S A REAL GREAT WAY TO AVOID LINES.

IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT GETTING STUCK IN A LINE, THE NICE PART ABOUT EARLY VOTING YOU CAN GO TO ANY OF THE LOCATIONS AT ANY TIME.

SO I WANT TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE IF THEY HAVE THE CHANCE AND YOU ARE GOING TO VOTE EARLY VOTE ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

THAT IS OCTOBER 26 AND OCTOBER 27.

THOSE ARE THE DAYS WE HAVE 10 YEARS OF DATA NOW THAT IS WHEN YOU WILL AVOID THE LINES.

WHEN THE POLLING PLACES WILL BE AT THEIR EMPTIEST.

IF YOU WANT TO VOTE AND AVOID THE RUSH, COME ON THE WEEKEND.

BECAUSE THAT IS WHEN YOU WILL BE ABLE TO GET IN AND GET OUT AND GO ON WITH THE REST OF YOUR DAY.

>> Jeff: FIND ANSWERS TO YOUR VOTING QUESTIONS AT ELECTIONS.MARYLAND.GOV.

MARYLAND'S ELECTION PROCESS IS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE BY VISITING LAWMAKERS FROM NIGERIA.

IS SUE COPPIN HAS MORE.

>> IT ALL BEGAN WITH AN E-MAIL MESSAGE.

>> AND IT CAME FROM, LIKE, NOT AN OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT EMAIL.

SO, I WAS LIKE, IS THIS?

IS THIS REAL?

AND SO, I FORWARDED IT TO OUR STATE DEPARTMENT CONTACT, AND SHE VERIFIED, YES, THIS YAHOO.COM EMAIL IS, THIS IS THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL.

>> ALLEN NORFLEET IS THE DIRECTOR OF CANDIDACY AND CAMPAIGN FINANCING FOR THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

HE SAYS THE NIGERIAN LAWMAKERS CAME TO MARYLAND LOOKING FOR WAYS TO IMPROVE THEIR ELECTION PROCESS.

>> THEY'VE HAD SOME CHALLENGES WITH PAST ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA, TO THE POINT WHERE THEY'VE HAD TO REDO ELECTIONS.

AND THE BIG CHALLENGE FOR THEM IS THEY DON'T HAVE A COUNTY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT, SO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS IN CHARGE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF ELECTIONS.

AND I THINK WHEN YOU HAVE ONLY ONE LEVEL THERE'S A LOT OF ROOM FOR ERROR.

>> THE SMALL DELEGATION OF NIGERIAN ELECTED OFFICIALS RECENTLY SPENT TIME AT BOTH THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND LOCAL ELECTION BOARDS—FINDING OUT HOW MARYLAND’S ELECTION SYSTEM WORKS.

JARED DEMARANIS, THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, TOLD THE GROUP IT’S IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN A HIGH LEVEL OF SECURITY WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTIONS•.BUT HE ALSO SAID IT MUST BE A PROCESS THAT’S TRANSPARENT AS WELL.

>> TRANSPARENCY AND BEING OPEN TO THE PROCESS LENDS TO CREDIBILITY.

AND ONCE YOU HAVE, ONCE THIS OFFICE IS CREDIBLE IN THE EYES OF BOTH PARTIES, THEN CERTIFY THE ELECTION RESULTS WIN, LOSE OR DRAW.

PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THAT WAS A TRUE REFLECTION OF THEIR VOTE THAT THEY CAST.

>> AND THERE WERE PLENTY OF QUESTIONS•ESPECIALLY ABOUT CAMPAIGN FINANCING.

>> WITH AN ELECTION, USUALLY, IF YOU OPEN UP YOUR ACCOUNT YOU START WITH ZERO DOLLARS AND IF YOU WANT TO CLOSE, YOU GOT TO CLOSE WITH ZERO DOLLARS.

BUT ALONG THE LINES THERE, YOU HAVE A TON OF REPORTS ON HOW YOU’VE RAISED YOUR MONEY AND HOW YOU SPENT YOUR MONEY BECAUSE THAT’S ALL PUBLICLY AVAILABLE FOR THAT.

THIS VISIT IS BUT THE FIRST PART OF THE GROUP’S MISSION.

THEY’LL BE BACK•TO OBSERVE THE ELECTION•WITH A DIVERSE CONTINGENT THAT WILL INCLUDE THE COUNTRY’S ELECTORAL COMMISSION, THE MEDIA AND EVEN THE RED CROSS.

THE HOPE•TO PUT FORTH A PLAN THEY CAN ENACT BY NIGERIA’S NEXT ELECTION.

>> I'M HOPING THEY CAN GAIN THE SKILLS FROM THE SHARING THAT CAN BE USED IN THEIR•TO SUCCESSFULLY PULL OFF THEIR OWN ELECTIONS, SO AND THEN, NOT JUST TEMPORARILY, BUT FOR THE LONG TERM.

AND JUST KNOW THAT WE CAN OFFER OUR EXPERTISE WHEN NEEDED.” I AM SUE COPPIN FOR A"STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: STATE SENATE PRESIDENT BILL FERGUSON SAYS THE ENERGY MARKET WILL BE ONE OF THE TOP ISSUES WHEN THE LEGISLATURE CONVENES.

THE STATE IS SEEKING FEDERAL HELP TO AVOID BILLIONS IN HIGHER COSTS.

WE SPOKE WITH DAVID LAPP THE STATE PEOPLE'S COUNSEL REPRESENTS CONSUMERS IN REGULATORY MATTERS.

>> WELL THIS IS GOING TO MEAN HIGHER PRICES FOR CONSUMERS.

IN THE AUCTION FOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR, THE TOTAL COST OF THE PAID BY CUSTOMERS ACROSS PJM WAS $2.2 BILLION AND 800% INCREASE IN THIS MOST RECENT AUCTION, BRINGING THAT NUMBER TO $14.7 BILLION.

AND SO THAT'S GOING TO LEAD TO DIRECTLY TO HIGHER COSTS FOR MARYLAND CUSTOMERS.

WE'VE ESTIMATED ABOUT $250 A YEAR FOR A NUMBER OF MARYLAND CUSTOMERS.

AND YOU KNOW, SO CUSTOMERS WILL SEE HIGHER BILLS.

THOSE WILL START NEXT AROUND NEXT JUNE.

AND LAST FOR A YEAR.

BECAUSE THESE AUCTIONS ARE FOR ONE YEAR AT A TIME.

RELATIVE TO THE COSTS THE CUSTOMERS ARE PAYING FOR THIS ONE PORTION OF THE UTILITY BILL THAT SHOWS UP AS PART OF THE COMMODITY PRICE OF ELECTRICITY, ABOUT 250 DOLLARS MORE A YEAR.

>> Jeff: AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS AT THAT RATE.

AND THE AUCTION IS BASICALLY SETTING A -- WE'RE NOT GOING TOO DEEP INTO THIS BECAUSE THERE ARE MORE ACRONYMS I'VE SEEN -- IT'S LIKE SETTING WHOLESALE RATES FOR ELECTRICITY?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THESE ARE COSTS THAT ARE ULTIMATELY REGULATED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

AND THROUGH THE REGIONAL POWER POOL OPERATOR AND TRANSMISSION PLANNER AND OPERATOR AND THAT IS CALLED PJM.

THESE COSTS ARE FLOW THROUGH A MARKET FOR WHAT WE CALL CAPACITY, THAT PJM RUNS.

NOW THE CAPACITY MARKET IS DIFFERENT THAN THE ENERGY MARKET.

THE CAPACITY MARKET IS INTENDED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE RELIABLE ELECTRICITY SERVICE GOING FORWARD.

AND THAT THERE'S ENOUGH GENERATION OUT THERE PRODUCING ELECTRONS THAT KEEP OUR LIGHTS ON FOR TO MEET PEAK DEMAND OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR FOR WHICH THE AUCTION.

AND THIS AUCTION WHERE THE PRICES JUMPED IS FOR THE YEAR STARTING JUNE 1ST.

IT IS NOT A CALENDAR YEAR IT IS A YEAR STARTING JUNE FIRST.

>> Jeff: IS THERE ANYTHING TO BE DONE ABOUT THAT AT THIS POINT?

ONCE THE AUCTION HAS BEEN HELD, SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD BE BINDING AND YOU CAN'T GO CHANGE THE RULES AND DO IT AGAIN, CAN YOU?

>> WELL, NO.

THE AUCTION IS DONE.

THERE IS -- THERE ARE POSSIBILITIES OF LITIGATION BEFORE THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION A PARTY COULD FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THAT AUCTION.

BUT CERTAINLY, IT IS MORE OR LESS FIXED AND THERE WOULD BE SUBSTANTIAL HURDLES TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT AUCTION.

BUT WE HAVE FUTURE AUCTIONS COMING UP AS WELL.

SO THE NEXT AUCTION WILL BE FOR THE YEAR STARTING JUNE 1, 2026.

AND WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS THAT THE PRICES IN THAT AUCTION COULD ACTUALLY JUMP SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER, ESTIMATES ARE THAT THEY COULD GO UP INTO THE 30 BILLION DOLLAR RANGE POTENTIALLY IN A WORST CASE SCENARIO.

UP FROM 2.2 BILLION THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY PAYING THOSE ARE THE AUCTION PRICES THAT CUSTOMERS ARE CURRENTLY PAY SOMETHING $2.2 BILLION.

IT JUMPED TO $14.7 AND COULD JUMP EVEN HIGHER FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

>> Jeff: SO THIS HAS THE ATTENTION OF STATE OFFICIALS.

WE SAW THE SENATE PRESIDENT'S TWEET THIS WILL BE ON THE AGENDA WHEN THE LEGISLATURE CONVENES IN JANUARY.

WHAT IF ANYTHING WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THEM DO ABOUT IT?

>> CERTAINLY THERE ARE OPTIONS THAT THE STATE MIGHT TAKE TO SECURE MORE GENERATION WITHIN THE STATE.

THERE ARE POTENTIAL BENEFITS THERE.

BUT THERE ARE ALSO A LOT OF UNCERTAINTIES.

THESE MARKETS ARE REGULATED FEDERALLY.

SO THE STATE'S INFLUENCE OVER THESE MARKETS IS LIMITED.

BUT THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THE STATE COULD DO TO SECURE GENERATION WHAT WE CALL RESOURCE ADEQUACY IN MARYLAND.

THAT COULD PROVE BENEFICIAL.

BUT THEY WOULD COME WITH COST COMMITMENTS AND THERE IS A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE REGIONAL MARKETS.

SO THOSE OPTIONS COULD TURNOUT GOD FOR CUSTOMERS, BUT THEY COULD ALSO TURNOUT TO BE COSTLY FOR CUSTOMERS.

SO A LOT OF CARE HAS TO BE TAKEN IN TERMS OF HOW THE STATE MOVES FORWARD.

>> Jeff: BUT, DAVID, WHAT WE'RE DOING THESE DAYS IS THE OPPOSITE OF ADDING CAPACITY.

FOR SOUND ENVIRONMENTAL REASONS WE ARE TURNING OFF THERE WAS A COAL-FIRED GENERATION PLANT IN INCUMBENT THAT SHUT -- CUMBERLAND THAT SHUT DOWN.

TWO NEAR THE BALTIMORE HARBOR ABOUT TO SHUT DOWN ONE IS COAL AND ONE IS OIL, I BELIEVE.

AND THERE'S NO REPLACEMENT.

I MEAN THERE ARE PLANS THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE BIG WIND FARMS AND KEEP ADDING SOLAR.

ISSUES WITH THOSE SOURCES BECAUSE THE WIND DOESN'T BLOW ALL THE TIME AND THE SUN DOESN'T SHINE ALL THE TIME.

BUT MARYLAND IS ALREADY AN IMPORTER OF ELECTRICITY AND WE'RE GOING TO BE EVEN MORE DEPENDENT ON OTHER STATES, RIGHT?

>> TO BE CLEAR ALL THE POWER PLANTS OPERATE IN A COMPETITIVE MARKET.

MARYLAND IS NOT DIRECTLY REGULATING THOSE PLANTS.

THE OWNERS OF THOSE PLANTS THAT WOULD BE WARRIOR RUN IN CUMBERLAND AND BRANDON SHORES IN WAGNER NEAR BALTIMORE.

THOSE WERE SHUT DOWN OR THE TWO NEARBY BORPL ARE NOT SHUT DOWN YET BUT THEY WERE NOTICED TO BE SHUT DOWN AND THOSE WERE DECISIONS BY THE OWNERS OF THOSE GENERATION PLANTS.

THEY AREN'T BEING SHUT DOWN AS A RESULT OF ANY STATE POLICY OR DIRECT STATE REGULATION.

AND THESE PROBLEMS LIKE WITH THE BALTIMORE AREA POWER PLANTS, SOME OF THOSE ISSUES CAN BE RESOLVED BY MORE GENERATION WITHIN THE STATE.

BUT PJM IS DIRECTING BGE IS CONSTRUCT A TRANSMISSION LINE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RELATED TO THE BALTIMORE AREA PLANTS.

AND SO TRANSMISSION TO IMPORT POWER FROM OTHER PLACES EITHER IN MARYLAND OR OUTSIDE OF MARYLAND, IS ANOTHER POTENTIAL SOLUTION TO THESE ISSUES.

THERE'S ALSO BATTERY STORAGE WHICH IS A GREAT OPTION AND WE SEE OTHER STATES REALLY TARGETING BATTERY STORAGE WITH LARGE UTILITY SCALE BATTERY PROJECTS THAT CAN BE COMBINED WITH SOLAR AND WIND.

>> Jeff: BUT DAVID, WE DON'T HAVE ANY OF THOSE YET, DO WE?

>> WE DO HAVE SOME SMALLER UTILITY SCALE BATTERY PROJECTS.

THERE'S BEEN A PILOT PROGRAM GOING ON AT THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

SO THERE IS SOME.

AND THERE ARE IDEAS BEING EXPLORED FOR ADDITIONAL BATTERY STORAGE.

WE CERTAINLY THINK THAT PJM NEEDS TO TAKE A HARDER LOOK AT BATTERY STORAGE.

THEY'VE GENERALLY NOT BEEN FRIENDLY TOWARD BATTERY STORAGE.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE PROCEEDINGS FOR OFFSHORE WIND BEFORE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

WE HAVE NUMEROUS CERTIFICATES OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE OF NECESSITY BEFORE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION FOR DIFFERENT SOLAR PROJECTS.

SO THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF REASON TO BE OPTIMISTIC.

BUT CERTAINLY, THERE IS A LOT OF ROOM FOR MARYLAND TO IMPROVE THE POSITION THAT ITS CUSTOMERS ARE FINDING THEMSELVES IN.

>> Jeff: WELL, LET'S BRING IT BACK TO THE CUSTOMERS.

PEOPLE, OF COURSE, ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE IDEA THAT 25 YEARS AGO, THE LEGISLATURE CREATED A SYSTEM OF COMPETITIVE SUPPLIERS FOR ELECTRICITY AND NATURAL GAS.

WOULD THIS BE A GOOD TIME FOR A HOMEOWNER TO RENTER TO TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE COMPETITIVE OFFERS?

OR DO THEY ALREADY REFLECT THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF THE AUCTION THAT WAS HELD?

>> WELL, ALL THESE PRICES ARE SORT OF COME INTO CUSTOMER BILLS OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.

CERTAINLY, ONE COULD TAKE A LOOK AT THE COMPETITIVE OFFERS BUT THE REALITY IS THOSE COMPETITIVE SUPPLIERS HAVE TO PAY THE SAME COSTS FOR CAPACITY THAT YOU WOULD GET THROUGH YOUR UTILITY SERVICE.

SO WE GENERALLY WARN CUSTOMERS TO TAKE EXTREME CARE IN SIGNING ON WITH COMPETITIVE OFFERS.

WE DO HAVE LEGISLATION THAT PASSED THIS LAST SESSION WITH A NUMBER OF ADDED CUSTOMER PROTECTIONS THAT ARE ON THEIR WAY TO BEING IMPLEMENTED BEFORE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

WE'RE WORKING HARD ON THAT.

BUT NOBODY ESCAPES FROM THESE CAPACITY PRICE INCREASES THAT WE JUST SAW AND THAT WE'RE HOPING TO AVOID IN THE FUTURE.

EVERYBODY HAS TO PAY THOSE WHETHER IT'S THE DEFAULT UTILITY SERVICE CALLED STANDARD OFFER SERVICE OR WHETHER IT'S THROUGH A COMPETITIVE SUPPLIER.

>> Jeff: SO THE OFFICE OF THE PEOPLE'S COUNSEL IS 100 YEARS OLD.

WHICH IS A LOT OF REGULATORY FILINGS.

AND OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVE NOT BEEN THERE ALL THAT TIME.

TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE MISSION THERE AND YOUR ABILITY TO INFLUENCE SOME OF THESE BIG REGULATORY DECISIONS BY THE MARYLAND PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, THE FEDERAL ENERGY WHATEVER FIREWORKS STANDS FOR AND HOW YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT GOING FORWARD INTO THE NEXT 100 YEARS?

>> IT IS THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION AND WE ARE VERY ACTIVE THERE.

WE ARE VERY ACTIVE BEFORE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

WE HAVE NUMEROUS CASES GOING ON BEFORE THE FERK AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

AND WE ARE GETTING BUSIER AND BUSIER ALL THE TIME, ESPECIALLY AS WE HAVE TO IMPLEMENT NUMEROUS NEW PIECES OF LEGISLATION AS WE TRY AND MAKE SURE WE UNDERGO THE ENERGY TRANSITION TO A CLEANER ENERGY SYSTEM.

IN A WAY THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH CUSTOMER INTEREST.

SO WE'RE ENGAGED ACROSS THE BOARD BEFORE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

WE HAVE NUMEROUS WORKING GROUPS.

WE HAVE NUMEROUS RATE CASES.

ALL KINDS OF THINGS GOING ON.

AND NOW, THE WORK THAT WE DO BEFORE FERK AND PJM WE ARE FORMALLY A MEMBER OF PJM ALL THE STATE CONSUMER ADVOCATE OFFICES ARE MEMBERS.

SO WE GET VERY ENGAGED THERE.

>> Jeff: OUR THANKS TO DAVID LAPP MARYLAND'S PEOPLE'S COUNSEL.

>>> THE CENTRAL INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT RETURNS TO BALTIMORE IN 2025 THIS WILL BE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT AS CHARLES ROBINSON REPORTS.

>> Charles: WHEN WE LAST SAW THE MEN'S TEAM FROM LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, THEY WERE THE CIAA CHAMPIONS.

THAT WAS LAST SEASON INTEREST WE DEFINITELY HAVE A BULLSEYE ON OUR BACKS.

I DON'T LIKE BEING IN THE PRESEASON NUMBER ONE TEAM AND I ALREADY SPOKE WITH MY TEAM.

I LET THEM NOW HOW I FELT ABOUT IT AND IT MEANS NOTHING IF AT THE END OF THE SEASON WE ARE STILL ON TOP OF THE LADDER.

>> Charles: THE 12 RIVALS WERE IN ATTENDANCE AT THE UNDER ARMORER HEADQUARTERS TOUTING THEIR IMPROVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON.

ON THE BUSINESS SIDE, THINGS COULDN'T LOOK BETTER.

SOME 43,000 FANS SHOWED UP AT THE WEEKEND GAMES.

IT GENERATED MORE THAN $32 MILLION IN REVENUE AND 118 IN MINORITY BUSINESSES THAT WERE IMPACTED GENERATING $1.4 MILLION IN REVENUE.

>> WE'VE REACHED OVER 84 MILLION PEOPLE WITH MESSAGING ACROSS MULTIPLE PLATFORMS WHICH IS A 53% INCREASE OVER WHAT WE SAW LAST YEAR.

>> I WILL NEVER BE AT PEACE WITH JUST MAINSTAY.

I WANT TO CONTINUE TO GROW THIS CONFERENCE WHERE THE EXPOSURE AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENT ATHLETES FOR OUR BOTH OUR MEN AND WOMEN OUR COACHES AND ADMINISTRATORS WHERE THEY SEE AND VALUE WHY THIS CONFERENCE IS SO IMPORTANT NOT JUST TO THE CIAA BUT TO THE WORLD.

>> Charles: THE CIAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT RETURNS TO BALTIMORE IN 2025 AND THIS YEAR, THEY ARE CELEBRATING THE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL GAME.

>> HUSTLING.

>> A PAIR OF WOMEN WERE THERE TO WATCH THE WOMEN'S GAME GROW AND MARVEL WHERE IT IS TODAY.

>> MY FRESHMAN YEAR WAS 1995 AND THAT IS WHEN THEY WERE CELEBRATING THE UNIVERSITY OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY FOR THE MEN.

MY SENIOR YEAR IN COLLEGE WAS THE 25TH FOR THE WOMEN.

JUST SEEING HOW THE UNIVERSITY AND THE CAMPUS AND THE CIAA EVOLVED HAS BEEN AMAZING.

I'M EXCITED HOW SO MANY PEOPLE ARE TAKING KEY TO HOW GOOD WOMEN ARE.

THAT IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO HELP GROW OUR GAME.

>> I'VE SEEN SO MANY LEGENDS AND PLAYERS AND SHOULDERS THAT I'VE STEPPED ON, AND TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE AN EXPERIENCE FOR THE STUDENT ATHLETES BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE AND THEIR CURRENT EXPERIENCE, IT'S PRETTY HUMBLING.

>> Charles: 50 YEARS LATER, IT'S NOT JUST THIS CONFERENCE, WHICH HAS SEEN A CHANGE, IT'S STRETCHED FROM THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL TO THE WNBA AND HAS BECOME MUST SEE TV.

IN BALTIMORE I'M CHARLES ROBINSON.

>> Jeff: MPT'S COVERAGE OF THE MARYLAND FIVE STAR CONTINUES THIS WEEKEND ON SUNDAY, LOOK FOR THE MPT SPORTS DESK AT 1:30 TO BEGIN OUR AFTERNOON OF EQUESTRIAN EXCITEMENT.

GO TO MPT.ORG/MARYLAND 5 STAR FOR DETAILS.

AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "DIRECT CONNECTION".