Service may be disconnected for the following reasons:
- Nonpayment of utility bills or security deposit
- Failure to allow us access to our equipment
- Nonpayment on a special agreement
- Violation of the Code of Maryland Regulations or BGE Electric or Gas Service Tariff Provisions
We do not like to stop service to customers. In fact, we do everything possible to avoid shutting off service to customers who work with us in good faith. Please let us know if you are having trouble paying your utility bills. In some cases, we will accept payments over the phone on delinquent accounts. For your convenience, we have a collection telephone center with specially trained representatives who can answer your questions and concerns. Call 410.685.2200 or 800.685.2210 if you are outside the Baltimore metropolitan area.
We typically give customers two weeks advance notice before disconnecting their utility service. However, we will reduce the time frame to one week if a customer fails to notify us of an address change or fraudulently obtains service.
Service Reconnection
To have service reconnected, customers must pay the amount of the current and past-due bills in full, applicable reconnection fees and any required deposit.
Right to appeal disconnection
Customers have the right to appeal a proposed utility service disconnection. BGE will review your case, make a decision, and inform you promptly of our findings. If you do not believe we have handled your appeal fairly, you can file a complaint with:
Maryland Public Service Commission
Office of External Relations
6 St. Paul Street, 15th Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Phone: 410.767.8028
Toll-Free: 800.492.0474
Fax: 410.333.6844
TTY/TDD (Maryland Relay Service): 800.735.2258
Fees
To avoid service denial, a $15 field collection fee will be assessed if a BGE representative collects a payment on your premises. The fee is due upon collection and payable to the representative. A reconnection charge is required to have service restored.
If the customer writes a check to satisfy payment of a turnoff notice or for service restoration and it is returned by the bank, the service is subject to denial without further notification.
Winter Restrictions
From November 1 through March 31, we will not terminate residential utility service unless we certify to the Maryland Public Service Commission that the customer has been notified of the pending termination.
