“At BGE, we have a strong commitment to balancing the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas and electric service with the environmental concerns of our customers and the communities we serve,” said Jeannette M. Mills, vice president and chief customer officer for BGE. “BGE regularly engages in activities that promote environmental stewardship. A core element of our company's commitment to the environment is protecting the wildlife, forests, plants and waterways in our communities, as we provide for our customers’ energy delivery needs.”

 

Recently, BGE erected two new Osprey nest platforms in Baltimore City and Annapolis to provide a safe place for Ospreys to live and nest, while also protecting the integrity of BGE’s overhead power lines. Ospreys, which are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, occasionally nest on or near BGE’s electric distribution equipment. Bird nests on or near electric equipment may cause power outages and endanger the birds.

 

The two new platforms join nearly 40 other Osprey nest platforms erected by BGE throughout central Maryland to ensure the birds have a safe place to nest that does not have the potential to interfere with the electric distribution system. In addition to Osprey nesting platforms, BGE has erected an American Bald Eagle nesting platform in Anne Arundel County in 2008.

 

"We sometimes do some crazy things in the course of a day's work,” said Grady Robinson, BGE crew leader who was part of the Osprey nesting platform construction. "But I never dreamed I'd be building Osprey nests when I started at BGE 21 years ago! It’s a unique experience for our linemen, and they really enjoy creating a safe nesting location for the birds."

 

BGE worked closely with the Port of Baltimore to have a permanent Osprey nesting platform erected at Pier 8 in Baltimore City before Osprey nesting season began. In addition, BGE erected a temporary platform in Annapolis, where several Ospreys were trying to build a nest on BGE’s electric distribution equipment. After the nesting season is over and the birds and their young have left the nest, BGE plans to build a permanent nesting platform for the birds in a nearby location.

 

To view a video of the construction and erection of the Osprey nesting platform in Baltimore City’s Pier 8, visit BGE’s YouTube channel.