Maryland PSC to Hear Public Comments on Town of Thurmont’s Electricity Rate Increase Request
February 25, 2026
(BALTIMORE, MD) – The utility’s customers and other interested members of the public are invited to comment on the request by the Town of Thurmont to increase electric distribution revenues by approximately $1,114,000. The hybrid hearing will take place on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at Thurmont Town Hall, 615 E. Main Street.
The Public Service Commission has delegated this case to its Public Utility Law Judge Division; Public Utility Law Judge Jennifer J. Grace will preside over the hearing.
Thurmont’s electric distribution system serves roughly 2,900 customers. In November 2025, the Town applied to the Commission to increase its retail electricity rates by approximately 13 percent. Thurmont cites the primary reasons for the request are to cover: (1) debt service on current infrastructure bonds/projects, (2) hiring of additional staff to operate/maintain the Town’s electric distribution system, and (3) increased operating expenses.
In addition to taking comments from the public, the hearing will include a presentation by Thurmont officials, and brief statements by the Office of People’s Counsel (the state’s residential ratepayer advocate) and the Commission’s Technical Staff, as to their respective roles and recommendations in the case.
For those unable to attend in person, there is an online option. To participate virtually, sign up (by March 9, 2026) through the Calendly app on the Commission’s website, www.pscmaryland.com:
- From the home page, scroll down to ‘Comment on a Case’ on the left;
- Click the link for ‘Learn More’;
- Scroll down to the Calendly app and click on ‘9833-Thurmont’;
- Click the hearing date (March 11);
- Click the time (6:00 p.m.);
- Click ‘Next’, enter name and email
- Click ‘Schedule Event’
Once the sign up process is complete, registrants will receive a Zoom link. Barring any technical difficulties, the hearing can also be watched on the PULJ Division’s (MD PSC PULJs) YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/@mdpscpuljs327
In addition to the hearing, written comments can be sent (through March 12, 2026) electronically through the Commission’s online portal at: https://www.pscmaryland.com/online-services/file-a-public-comment/, or by mail. Comments sent by mail should be addressed to: Jamie Bergin, Chief Clerk, Maryland Public Service Commission, William Donald Schaefer Tower, 6 St. Paul Street, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202. So that they are noted in the proper case file, all comments should reference Case No. 9833.
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Media Contact: Tori Leonard | tori.leonard@maryland.gov
About the Public Service Commission:
The Maryland Public Service Commission regulates electric and gas utilities and suppliers, telephone companies (land lines), private water and sewer companies, passenger motor vehicle carriers for hire, taxicab companies in some jurisdictions and bay pilot rates. The Commission implements the State’s energy policy and also regulates the siting of energy generating facilities and high-voltage transmission lines.