{"id":3935,"date":"2020-03-23T15:52:14","date_gmt":"2020-03-23T19:52:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mea\/?p=3935"},"modified":"2020-03-23T15:57:00","modified_gmt":"2020-03-23T19:57:00","slug":"maryland-power-utilities-respond-to-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mea\/2020\/03\/23\/maryland-power-utilities-respond-to-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Power Utilities Respond to COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Utility providers are considered essential businesses which will stay open during this state of emergency. Utilities maintain Maryland’s critical energy infrastructure. Remember to report a power outage or gas emergency as soon as you are safely able to report. Read below to learn how utilities are responding to this crisis, read on.<\/p>\n

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Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE)<\/strong> \u2013 for bill assistance or power reconnect call 800.685.0123 or for power outages call 1-877-778-2222 or @MyBGE<\/p>\n

Last week, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, BGE announced the suspension of service disconnections<\/a>, the waiving of new late payment fees through at least May 1; and\u00a0our contribution of $175,000 to local Maryland nonprofits<\/a>\u00a0as part of the $1M donation by Exelon companies nationwide to help communities.Today\u2019s press release further highlights our response during this critical time. Beginning today, BGE will work with customers to restore power to those that have been disconnected prior to the March 13 moratorium.<\/p>\n

As Maryland residents are working to support the social distancing needs to combat against the spread of corona virus, it is our goal that they do not have to worry about their energy needs at this time.<\/p>\n

Customers who have had their service disconnected can contact BGE at 800.685.0123 to begin the reconnection process. Our call center team will also work with customers to help identify assistance programs for which they may qualify.<\/p>\n

While BGE is suspending customer disconnections, there may be times when BGE must plan a temporary outage to address critical work that must be performed on our system. Emergency work, such as downed wires, may require an outage without advanced communication. We may also need to take an outage to replace or repair equipment that could cause sustained outages, if not addressed.\u00a0 We will ensure that customers are notified of such work and will minimize the inconvenience as best as we can by scheduling the work during late night hours and minimizing the duration, to the extent possible. This work is critical and will only be performed if necessary.<\/p>\n

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Choptank Electric Cooperative<\/strong> \u2013 bill inquiries or bill pay by phone call 866-999-4574 or to report a power outage call 1.800.410.4790 or @choptankcoop<\/p>\n

Due to growing concerns regarding the health and safety of our members, Choptank Electric Cooperative will be closing our lobbies, walk-in offices, and the Denton Drive-thru temporarily until further notice.<\/p>\n

There are still many ways that our members can pay their bills. Those methods include our website and SmartHub, our Automated Phone Line at 866-999-4574, our drop-boxes located at our Salisbury and Denton offices, and of course we also have automated payment options which include bank draft and recurring credit card. (We accept Visa, MasterCard, and AMEX).<\/p>\n

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Delmarva Power<\/strong> \u2013 for bill or account help call 1-800-375-7117 or for power outage or gas emergency call 1-302-454-0317<\/p>\n

At this time, Delmarva Power will continue to respond to requests to start, stop or more service, which in many cases, can be done remotely, without accessing customer homes or businesses. In cases where accessing a building is necessary, our employees and contractors are being advised to take appropriate action, such as wearing appropriate PPE to perform their jobs safely.<\/p>\n

Customers may continue to conduct regular business with Delmarva Power 24\/7\u202fusing\u202fdelmarva.com<\/a>\u00a0or the\u202fDelmarva Power Mobile App<\/a>. From Delmarva Power mobile app, customers can\u202fview\u202fand pay\u202ftheir bill, report\u202felectric\u202foutages, and register for alerts.<\/p>\n

With our website, it’s easy to:<\/p>\n