Customer bills will increase effective with usage starting on Feb. 1, 2022 and as authorized by the Maryland Public Service Commission will be partially reduced by certain tax benefits. With the rate adjustment and offsets approved by the PSC, the average residential electric bill will increase by $3.28 per month and the average residential natural gas bill will increase by $2.40 per month. See bge.com/myp for details.
An excess flow valve (EFV) is a natural gas service device that can reduce the risk of a natural gas leak in the event of significant damage to the outside service line. EFV’s are able to automatically reduce unplanned, excessive gas flows in the event of a broken gas line, often the result of excavation damage.
However, EFV’s can only reduce the excessive gas flow if the damage occurs between the gas main and the customer’s regulator/meter installation. An EFV cannot address gas leaks or issues with internal customer gas piping and/or appliances.
As a result of regulations enacted by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation, BGE has been installing EFV’s on the gas service lines of certain single family residences – either when a new service line is installed or when an existing service line is replaced. With certain exceptions, customers whose natural gas load does not exceed a certain size have the right to request an EFV installation on their existing natural gas service line.
Upon request, BGE will install an EFV on eligible existing natural gas service lines. A customer requesting the EFV installation will be responsible for the actual costs of the work less EFV-related material costs. The customer charge range is estimated to be approximately $1,100-$2,200.For more information about EFVs, or to see if you qualify to have an EFV installed, contact BGE at 1-800-685-0123.
