Hagerstown Light Wants More Money. Before Our Bills Go Up, Explain Why.

I don't know who needs to hear this, but people in Hagerstown ain't exactly sitting around looking for another bill to get bigger. We already paying for groceries, housing, gas, and a hundred other things. So when I see Hagerstown Light wants to increase its revenue, I'm looking for the explanation before I even think about supporting it.

Here's what the city's notice actually says: the Light Department filed for authority to increase its operating revenues by about $1.34 million, described as an approximately 3.3% overall increase. That is NOT proof every single person is getting a 3.3% increase on their next electric bill. Individual impacts depend on the rate design and how much power your home uses.

I understand expenses. I'm still asking questions.

Electricity don't magically get delivered to our houses. Equipment costs money. Repairs cost money. Crews gotta get paid. Purchased power costs change, too. I ain't acting like the city has to operate on wishes and good intentions.

But being a public utility should mean the public can get an answer beyond 'everything costs more.' What part of the costs changed? How much is maintenance? What happens to a family that already struggles in winter? If somebody uses the bare minimum amount of power, what would the increase mean for them? Those are reasonable questions.

If you want more money from residents, tell residents exactly what you're doing with it.6ix

Something else: the October 19 date is a PRE-HEARING, not necessarily the part where anybody just walks in and grabs a microphone. The notice says it's being used to establish a schedule and discuss interventions and other preliminary matters. So don't wait until that day to figure out how you want to participate.

I ain't saying the request should automatically get thrown out. I am saying somebody who's paying these bills should be able to read the reasons and understand the effect. That's all. It's our utility, and we're the ones who gotta live with whatever happens.