In the midst of rising energy prices, Governor Wes Moore’s Office announced increased energy assistance to eligible residents, marking the latest example of short-term relief.

“The people of Maryland know that we are going to look after them,” Governor Wes Moore said while at a Fourth of July Parade in Columbia.

The increased energy benefits will be administered through the Maryland Department of Human Services Office of Home Energy Programs, households already receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Income-Based Veterans Affairs benefits are automatically eligible.

For residents who do not currently receive benefits, new applications for energy assistance are now open at MarylandBenefits.gov.

With increased funding to the Strategic Energy Investment Fund, a household receiving between $130 and $575 in electric benefits last year will now receive between $250 and $1,000, and a household receiving between $150 and $301 in gas benefits last year will now receive between $300 and $550 in Fiscal Year 2026.

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“At a time when the federal government is passing dangerous, heartless legislation to cut assistance for working families, we are standing in the breach,” Governor Wes Moore said.

“Not a day goes by without me hearing from Marylanders calling for support tackling the rising cost of energy we see nationwide. Today, we extend a hand to them, as a critical part of our work to make Maryland more affordable. We will not waver in our work to protect our people and leave no one behind,” he added.

This announcement comes after Baltimore Gas and Electric’s one-time customer relief fund opened for applications this week. Thursday, a BGE spokesperson said more than 20,000 applications have been received.

“What it tells us is that customers are struggling to afford all the essentials in their lives,” Nick Alexopulos, a spokesperson for BGE said.

While low to moderate income residents who have outstanding balances will be able to access a few hundred dollars in relief, once the $15 million dollars donated by Exelon, BGE’s parent company, in divvied out, it will be gone. It’s not clear if Exelon has plans to donate additional funds in the future.

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At the same time, looking for “meaningful” and “sustainable” rate relief, Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen is continuing to call for the Public Service Commission to end BGE’s multi-year rate plan, which allows rate increases to take effect, to pay for infrastructure projects.

While Cohen argues it is a mechanism for BGE to drive profits, BGE officials argue the infrastructure projects are critical to replace aging gas pipes.

“It’s the same reason they insist on replacing all of our gas pipelines,” Cohen said. “The more they replace, the more you pay and the more they profit.”

“All of our work is reviewed and approved by the Public Service Commission,” Alexopulos said. “Every penny that is in the distribution rates in customers bills is reviewed and approved by regulators.”

“We are not…not… performing wholesale replacement of the gas system. We are replacing the oldest, riskiest 12 percent of the gas system,” he added.

Aside from BGE’s rates, the energy supply costs have also been rising. With Maryland importing around 40 percent of it’s energy from other states, legislation was passed in the last legislative session to generate more energy, especially as energy demands in the state continue to rise. However, even officials like Governor Moore acknowledge the legislation doesn’t go far enough to fix Maryland’s energy crisis long-term.