The Public Service Commission is hosting a public hearing in Ellicott City Wednesday evening, one of several statewide so citizens can discuss utility company responses to the devastating June 29 storm.

In Maryland, it took BGE eight days to restore power to the 748,000 customers whose service was knocked out, 62 percent of its statewide customer base.

In July, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman and other county leaders sent a letter to the Public Service Commission, which regulates BGE, asking that it require utility companies to make operational improvements.

The Howard County hearing will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 15, in the George Howard Building. Other hearings are scheduled for Baltimore on Tuesday, Aug. 14; and Towson, on Thursday, Aug. 16. 

Can’t make it to any of the hearings but have something to say? Send written comments by Sept. 10 to the Public Service Commission at 6 St. Paul St., 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202.

Read Patch's coverage of the derecho and its aftermath:

• Derecho Report: BGE Surprised by 'Freak Storm'
• Day 7 Without Power: Bellanca Drive Awaits Relief
• PHOTOS: Storm Damage in Elkridge
• County Executives: Utilities Must Give Us Data

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