Political notes: Refunds for utilities, input for Fitzwater, new jobs for Coale, Peterson

A win in Maryland’s top court will result in credits for customers of the state’s utility companies — eventually.

How much and when remain open questions.

BGE, Delmarva Power and Pepco announced Monday they will ask the Public Service Commission to greenlight the return of $160 million to ratepayers. The money comes from their share of an expected refund from the Maryland comptroller after the Maryland Supreme Court ruled power companies in some cases had been incorrectly taxed.

Roughly $110 million would go to BGE customers, $20 million for Delmarva Power customers and $30 million for Pepco customers.

The Board of Revenue Estimates last week estimated the total cost of the refund in the Potomac Edison case could run roughly a quarter-billion dollars.

“We know many Maryland families and businesses are feeling pressure from higher energy costs, and we are committed to doing everything we can to help,” Valencia McClure, Exelon senior vice president of governmental, regulatory and external affairs, said in a statement. “Providing these tax savings to customers is another example of The Exelon Promise in action, taking practical steps today to provide relief, protect customers and work with policymakers and regulators on long-term solutions that keep energy safe, reliable and affordable.”

Even with sweeping utility reform legislation in place, regulators fight rising rate requests

A spokesperson for BGE could not provide details on how much the average customer might receive — or when. But when the legislature approved a plan two years ago to provide $200 million in credits to customers, based on usage, the two payments worked out to an average of about $40 each.

Comptroller Brooke Lierman (D) said last week that she disagreed with the July decision from the Supreme Court of Maryland, but called on utilities to return the money to ratepayers.

“The utilities should provide a full public accounting of all refunded taxes, including interest, to ensure that Maryland ratepayers receive the full amount owed to them,” Lierman said through a spokesperson Monday.

New chief of staff for LG

Changes are coming to the staff of Lt. Gov Aruna Miller.

Scott Peterson, media relations and communications manager for outgoing Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D), is headed to the State House, where he will take over as the lieutenant governor’s new chief of staff, replacing Geri Royale Byrd.

Elrich, in a recent meeting with reporters, praised Peterson for bringing “his experience with other Maryland jurisdictions to help us better communicate with our residents and the media. Since then, he’s helped bring focus and clarity to this media briefing and many other facets of county communications. And I’ve appreciated his insight, his help to highlight our victories and provide direction for how we share our stories, and to manage the difficult moments.”

Peterson is scheduled to join Miller’s office on Wednesday, replacing Byrd who left last month to become deputy secretary at the Department of Commerce.

Prior to joining Elrich’s staff, Peterson managed communications for leaders in Baltimore City and Prince George’s County, as well as spending nearly a decade at C-SPAN.

There ought to be a law, Frederick version

Frederick County officials are asking voters to help them shape the county’s legislative agenda for the 2027 General Assembly.

Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater (D) asked residents for their input on a survey that will help shape her office’s legislative package. The survey asks residents to choose between eight areas as their main prority for the session: agriculture; education; public safety; energy; safe and accessible transportation; data centers; housing; and social justice.

After choosing a top priority, residents can summarize what they “would like to see surrounding your topic of choice.” Residents can also jot down any priorities not listed in the eight choices.

The survey will remain open through Thursday and a summary of responses shared at a town hall Oct. 7.

Coale hangs a shingle

Annapolis lobbyist Tom Coale, a partner at Perry Jacobson for the past three years, is leaving the firm to start his own government relations and public affairs firm, he announced this month. The Coale Firm launches Wednesday.

“My practice has grown well beyond any one issue area — housing, energy, biotech, procurement, economic development — and launching my own firm felt like the natural next step to give all of that room to grow,” Coale said in a press releae announcing the change.

Perry Jacobson co-founders Tim Perry and Jonas Jacobson praised Coale’s time at the firm and said they looked forward to collaborating with Coale’s new practice.

Coale said his firm will work in his “core practice areas,” with particular focus on housing finance and land use policy, economic development, procurement, and energy and infrastructure development. He will also maintain his zoning practice, representing clients before local boards and agencies on land use and entitlement matters.

Coale holds a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center, and is vice chair on the board of the Baltimore Regional Housing Partnership.