BGE is a strong supporter of programs that help customers with financial and energy management challenges maintain their electric and gas service. Since 2004 BGE has enlisted the services of the Baltimore Community Foundation(BCF) to administer dedicated funds to the limited income community.
The BCF helps donors plan and carry out charitable giving in Baltimore and beyond. It comprises more than 500 charitable funds and works to build a civic endowment for the greater Baltimore region.
The BCF allocates funds for BGE in two distinct ways: BGE's Crisis Intervention Initiatives and the BGE Community Assistance Fund.
BGE's Crisis Intervention Initiative
Through BGE's Crisis Intervention Initiatives, the BCF distributes funds locally to organizations like the Salvation Army, community action agencies, and other community-based organizations that help customers who are facing service disconnection. Since its inception, this program has distributed over $5 million to assist more than 12,000 families.
In order to receive assistance from BGE's Crisis Intervention Initiative, customers must:
Have received a utility termination notice
Meet the income guidelines of Maryland's Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP), and
Receive assistance first from programs administered by OHEP. These include MEAP (Maryland Energy Assistance Program) and EUSP (Electric Universal Service Program)
Also seek help from the Fuel Fund of Maryland Customers if they have bills greater than $250
A BGE retiree volunteer assists a customer at an Energy Assistance Application Event
Additionally, senior citizens who have received assistance from BGE's Conservation Home Improvement Program (CHIP), a gas weatherization initiative, are eligible for additional energy efficiency services from the Crisis Intervention Initiative. These additional services include the replacement of refrigerator units older than 10 years, replacement of inoperable window air conditioners, storm windows, doors, and other products or services deemed appropriate by the weatherization services installer.
BGE Community Assistance Fund
While BGE's Crisis Intervention Initiatives, explained above, primarily assists individuals, we understand that the root cause of poverty can never be resolved simply by providing bill payment assistance. That's why BGE committed more than $5 million in funding and corporate resources to the BGE Community Assistance Fund last year alone. This fund assists organizations that are responsible for the social and energy management concerns of the limited income community.
In 2006, BGE contributed substantively to more than 300 organizations that provide strategic direction to the issues, policies or programs that impact the limited income community at-large. These organizations have a proven track record of providing energy assistance, products and services that ameliorate the effects of poverty.
BGE has worked with diverse organizations such as Banner Neighborhoods, Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together, The Loading Dock, The Food Bank, Goodwill and Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning.
BGE does not try to make a difference in the communities it serves through funding alone. Collaboration is the key. We are building and maintaining valuable relationships in the Maryland cities and counties we serve to ensure healthy and safe neighborhoods.
