a M O V I N G S M A R T E N E R G Y F O R W A R D S I N C E 1 8 1 6

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F O R B G E C U S TO M E R S

BGECOMSmartEnergyNews |

MARCH 2016

We Manage Growing Risks BGErsquos commitment to electricity reliability goes beyond

maintaining just the poles and lines ndash it extends to the

trees surrounding more than 10500 miles of overhead

power lines BGE invests more than $30 million each

year into our Tree and Vegetation Management Program

which includes assessing pruning and removing trees

that may cause electric outages as well as managing

vegetation above our underground natural gas

transmission pipeline network

All of this attention to trees has reduced customer tree-related power interruptions by approximately 40 To learn more about how smart energy gets more reliable every day visit BGECOMReliability

BGErsquos Tree and Vegetation Management Program PROGRAM MANAGEMENT BGErsquos strategy is based on a four or five-year trimming cycle routine inspections by foresters and reliability performance data BGE also further enhances tree and vegetation management efforts by implementing requirements mandated by the Maryland Public Service Commission called the RM 43 standards

PROGRAM SCHEDULING BGE uses only licensed utility-qualified professional tree-trimming contractors to manage the trees and other vegetation around power lines and equipment When a neighborhood is scheduled for routine tree and vegetation management work BGErsquos contractors place door hangers to let property owners know when to expect crews If heavy tree pruning or removal is required the property owner will be directly contacted before work is commenced If you have questions about the proposed work call the BGE contractor directly by using the phone number on the door hanger To learn more information on the program including a map showing areas where tree trimming will take place visit BGECOMTreeCare

Tree Care Safety DO-IT-YOURSELF PRUNING BGE encourages customers to manage the heights of their trees before they get within 10 feet of interfering with electrical lines and equipment In addition the Maryland High Voltage Line Act requires anyone working or using tools or equipment within 10 feet of overhead lines to contact BGE first at 8006850123 or submit a request online to evaluate the site and plan how to best make the work area safe To find a private licensed tree care professional to prune or remove your trees or request BGE assistance with power lines near trees visit BGECOMTreeCare

RIGHT TREE RIGHT PLACE For safety and service reliability BGE must keep the lsquowire zonersquo clear For guidelines for planting near power lines without interfering with utility equipment visit BGECOMTreeCare

Hearings on Proposed BGE Rate Adjustment In November 2015 BGE filed a request with the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) to increase electric and gas distribution rates and to recover the costs of the companyrsquos smart grid upgrade The PSC will hold five (5) evening public hearings across BGErsquos service territory from March 3 to March 17 2016 to allow community members to comment on BGErsquos proposed rate increase

Thursday March 3 2016 beginning at 700 pm Joint Committee Hearing Room Legislative Services Building 90 State Circle Annapolis Maryland 21401

Monday March 7 2016 beginning at 700 pm Towson University Marriott Conference Hotel 10 Burke Avenue Towson Maryland 21204

Wednesday March 9 2016 beginning at 700 pm Banneker Room George Howard Building 3430 Court House Drive Ellicott City Maryland 21043

Wednesday March 16 2016 beginning at 700 pm Town Hall Rotunda Town of Bel Air 39 Hickory Avenue Bel Air Maryland 21014

Thursday March 17 2016 beginning at 600 pm 16th Floor Hearing Room Maryland Public Service Commission William Donald Schafer Tower 6 St Paul Street Baltimore Maryland 21202

Further details on the public hearings and how to send public comments are available on the PSC and BGE websites visit pscstatemdus or BGECOM

BGE ANNIVERSARY FACT Company stakeholders joined two previously separate gas and electric businesses into one company the Consolidated Gas Electric Light and Power Company of Baltimore 1906 Browse 200BGECOM to learn about BGErsquos anniversary events and community commitments

BGErsquos Tree and Vegetation Management Program PROGRAM MANAGEMENT BGErsquos strategy is based on a four or five-year trimming cycle routine inspections by foresters and reliability performance data BGE also further enhances tree and vegetation management efforts by implementing requirements mandated by the Maryland Public Service Commission called the RM 43 standards

PROGRAM SCHEDULING BGE uses only licensed utility-qualified professional tree-trimming contractors to manage the trees and other vegetation around power lines and equipment When a neighborhood is scheduled for routine tree and vegetation management work BGErsquos contractors place door hangers to let property owners know when to expect crews If heavy tree pruning or removal is required the property owner will be directly contacted before work is commenced If you have questions about the proposed work call the BGE contractor directly by using the phone number on the door hanger To learn more information on the program including a map showing areas where tree trimming will take place visit BGECOMTreeCare

Tree Care Safety DO-IT-YOURSELF PRUNING BGE encourages customers to manage the heights of their trees before they get within 10 feet of interfering with electrical lines and equipment In addition the Maryland High Voltage Line Act requires anyone working or using tools or equipment within 10 feet of overhead lines to contact BGE first at 8006850123 or submit a request online to evaluate the site and plan how to best make the work area safe To find a private licensed tree care professional to prune or remove your trees or request BGE assistance with power lines near trees visit BGECOMTreeCare

RIGHT TREE RIGHT PLACE For safety and service reliability BGE must keep the lsquowire zonersquo clear For guidelines for planting near power lines without interfering with utility equipment visit BGECOMTreeCare

Hearings on Proposed BGE Rate Adjustment In November 2015 BGE filed a request with the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) to increase electric and gas distribution rates and to recover the costs of the companyrsquos smart grid upgrade The PSC will hold five (5) evening public hearings across BGErsquos service territory from March 3 to March 17 2016 to allow community members to comment on BGErsquos proposed rate increase

Thursday March 3 2016 beginning at 700 pm Joint Committee Hearing Room Legislative Services Building 90 State Circle Annapolis Maryland 21401

Monday March 7 2016 beginning at 700 pm Towson University Marriott Conference Hotel 10 Burke Avenue Towson Maryland 21204

Wednesday March 9 2016 beginning at 700 pm Banneker Room George Howard Building 3430 Court House Drive Ellicott City Maryland 21043

Wednesday March 16 2016 beginning at 700 pm Town Hall Rotunda Town of Bel Air 39 Hickory Avenue Bel Air Maryland 21014

Thursday March 17 2016 beginning at 600 pm 16th Floor Hearing Room Maryland Public Service Commission William Donald Schafer Tower 6 St Paul Street Baltimore Maryland 21202

Further details on the public hearings and how to send public comments are available on the PSC and BGE websites visit pscstatemdus or BGECOM

BGE ANNIVERSARY FACT Company stakeholders joined two previously separate gas and electric businesses into one company the Consolidated Gas Electric Light and Power Company of Baltimore 1906 Browse 200BGECOM to learn about BGErsquos anniversary events and community commitments