BGE Double-Billing Glitch Affects 14,000 Customers

A glitch in a new billing system used by BGE has resulted in some customers being double-billed for electricity.

The company explained the issue after a customer, who asked to remain anonymous, contacted Patch Wednesday about the over-charges.

BGE serves electricity customers in Baltimore City and Howard, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Montgomery and Prince George's counties.

The company is in the midst of upgrading its billing system for the first time in more than 20 years, a changeover that has resulted in "some challenges," according to Rob Gould, a BGE spokesman.

In this case, a difference of one day between the billing date and the meter reading date resulted in some customers being overcharged in March.

BGE spokesman Aaron Koos said the issue affects about 14,000 or about 1 percent of its 1.2 million customers in central Maryland.

"We've identified the issue and the affected customers," Koos said.

The error could result in hundreds of dollars in over-charges depending on an individual customer's usage, Koos said.

He said customers who believe they have been affected have several options.

Those who have already paid their bills will receive a credit on their bill for next month.

Those who believe they have been over-charged but have not paid their bill can either pay the bill and receive a credit or call BGE at 800-685-0123 to get their correct bill total.

Koos said the company is also working with customers to waive late charges and set up payment plans for anyone with difficulty paying their bills as a result of the billing system change over.