Maryland Rejects Smart Grid Proposal
June 23, 2010
Bureaucrats in Annapolis have slammed the brakes on a proposal that would have seen the widespread implementation of smart-grid technology in the Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) service area. The proposal had a price tag of as much as $835 million.
BGE wanted to install more than 1.3 million smart electricity meters and 730,000 smart gas meters for its customer base. It had planned on using a $136 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to help shore up the start-up costs for the ambitious project.
Through the use of these smart meters, BGE wanted to have those meters communicate with its back office, in an effort to vary electricity rates during the months of June through September based on the time of day and day of the week during which the electricity is used.
BGE said that its customers would have saved money by reducing the amount of energy they used during peak periods.
But regulators in Annapolis said BGE's specific proposal was "untenable," even though they said they believe in the overall concept of smart-grid technology.
You can download their decision, all 54 mind-numbing pages of it. While there is some good stuff in there, here's the main highlight of the decision:
The Proposal asks BGE's ratepayers to take significant financial and technological risks and adapt to categorical changes in rate design, all in exchange for savings that are largely indirect, highly contingent and a long way off. We are not persuaded that this bargain is cost-effective or serves the public interest, at least not in its current form.
While the Commission said it would entertain future submissions from BGE, its harsh wording in the decision indicates that BGE will have to think long and hard before coming back to Annapolis with a new plan.
There's much more about this at BrighterEnergy.org. Their piece makes for interesting reading. And it demonstrates that smart-grid technology may be farther off than those in the utilities industry want to admit.
Every golfer has a round they remember. It might be a personal best, a long putt that somehow found the cup, or a perfect drive down the middle of the fairway. For me, the most meaningful round has less to do with my score and more to do with the people gathered around the first tee. That round is the Purple Tee Classic. On Thursday, September 17, 2026 , Metro Bethesda Rotary will host the 20th Annual Purple Tee Classic at Whiskey Creek , with a 10:00 a.m. shotgun start. This will be my third year leading the tournament, and my final year in that leadership role. That makes this year especially meaningful to me. More Than a Golf Tournament The Purple Tee Classic is a day of golf, but it is really about much more than a day on the course. It brings together business owners, community members, Rotarians, friends, families, veterans, and first responders around a shared purpose. The fundraiser supports veterans and first responders, people who have served, protected, and supported our communities in ways most of us will never fully understand. Golf gives us the setting. Service gives the day its meaning. That is what I value most about Rotary. The organization creates opportunities for people to put relationships, resources, and time to work for something larger than themselves. The Rotary principle of “Service Above Self” is not just a phrase. It is something we are asked to live out by showing up, contributing, and following through. The Purple Tee Classic is one of the clearest examples of that principle in action. Why This Final Year Matters Leading a tournament like this takes more than setting a tee time and asking people to come out and play. It takes planning, coordination, communication, fundraising, and a team willing to handle the many details most participants will never see. That is one of the biggest things I want to say clearly this year: this event is absolutely a team effort. The Metro Bethesda Rotary members involved in this committee do a tremendous amount behind the scenes. They help plan, coordinate, communicate, recruit sponsors and players, and keep things moving in all the ways that make an event like this possible. A lot of that work is not flashy. It is steady, thoughtful, behind-the-scenes effort that helps turn a good idea into a real event that serves real people. I have been fortunate to work alongside fellow Rotary members who care deeply about Rotary’s mission and the causes the tournament supports. I am genuinely grateful for their time, commitment, and willingness to do the work that needs to get done. Events like this do not come together because of one person. They come together because a group of committed people keeps showing up and doing their part. It also takes the support of a broader community. Over the past three years, I have seen how a simple invitation, to play a round of golf or contribute an auction item, can become part of a much larger effort. As I prepare for my final year leading the Purple Tee, I am thinking less about the fact that my leadership role is ending and more about what I hope continues. I hope the tournament continues to bring people together. I hope new sponsors and players discover the value of supporting a community event with a clear purpose. And I hope every participant leaves Whiskey Creek remembering that the best part of the day was never just the golf. It was the difference we helped make by showing up. How You Can Help There are several ways to support this milestone event: Become a tournament sponsor. Help strengthen the event while putting your organization in front of an engaged local community. Register a foursome . Bring colleagues, friends, clients, or family members for a meaningful day on the course. Sponsor a veteran or first responder. Help someone enjoy a round of golf and participate in the Purple Tee experience. Donate an item or experience. Raffle and auction contributions add energy to the day and help expand the event’s fundraising potential. Every form of participation matters. Not everyone can sponsor at the same level, and not everyone plays golf. But everyone can consider whether they, or someone they know, might be able to help. Key Takeaways The 20th Annual Purple Tee Classic will take place at Whiskey Creek on September 17, 2026. This is my third year leading the tournament and my final year in that leadership role. The fundraiser supports veterans and first responders. Sponsors, foursomes, individual player support, and donated auction or raffle items are all important. Rotary has given me the opportunity to serve with people who care about their community and are willing to turn good intentions into action. I am grateful for that opportunity, grateful for the people I get to work alongside, and determined to make this final year leading the Purple Tee Classic a memorable one. If you would like to support the event, please visit purpletee.fundraiser.bid . You can also message me directly if you are interested or know someone who may want to help. One last round in this leadership role. One more opportunity to bring people together. And one more chance to support the veterans and first responders who deserve our gratitude.
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