5/4 City Council Meeting
New Business Item B

City of Bowie Testimony Before the PSC Concerning BGE Bowie Electric Reliability Action Plan

Thank you for the opportunity to offer the perspectives of the City of Bowie concerning the BGE Bowie Electric Reliability Action Plan (BERAP).

The City continues to be appreciative of the efforts of BGE to improve electric reliability in the City.  We are clearly seeing the benefits of their efforts thus far.  Objective performance indicators are demonstrating improved reliability.  We are receiving fewer calls and inquiries from our constituents concerning power outages.  Clearly the investment BGE is making within the City is paying dividends. 

However, as with any undertaking of this magnitude, there are bound to be some concerns.  While the City acknowledges the efforts of BGE to consider the City’s position on issues and adjust their approaches on occasion, there are still outstanding matters that the City wishes to bring to the attention of the PSC. 

First and foremost, the City Council opposes any further installation of front yard utility poles as part of the BERAP project.  The City of Bowie is served by a rear yard electric distribution system.  Utility poles are substantially located in rear and, in some cases, side yards.  The BERAP project initially proposed to relocate 15 to 20 poles in front yard areas near the street to be better serviced by BGE personnel and to locate equipment closer to the street.  This number recently swelled to 90 as more detailed engineering work took place.  In a recent meeting between the City and BGE, BGE committed to reducing this number to 64 front yard utility pole relocations.  BGE also committed to reexamining this issue and to reduce this number still further if possible.  The City’s objection, and the objection of our residents to this relocation, is that the aesthetics of the community are severely negatively impacted by the placement of utility poles in front yard areas.  We would request the PSC mandate that BGE cease the installation of front yard utility poles as part of this project.

Second, the City Council is still receiving concerns from our residents regarding the aggressive tree trimming and removal that is taking place as part of this BERAP effort.  We appreciate the recent modification agreed to by BGE concerning their tree removal policy regarding not removing trees less than eight inches in diameter within 20 feet of the outside conductor that are not anticipated to create a problem with electrical dependability within the four year growth cycle without customer consent.  However, we do urge BGE to insure that customers are properly informed of this option.  We continue to urge BGE to only remove those trees that have a direct immediate impact on electric dependability in the City.  We are very sensitive to the aesthetic impact significant tree removal is having in the City of Bowie.  To date, more than 9,000 trees have been removed as part of this project in and around the City of Bowie. 

Third, the City Council wants to continue to work with BGE to replace trees that have been removed using more appropriate species.  Programs such as Right Tree Right Place (RTRP) should be used to the greatest extent possible on public property where the RTRP criteria have been met.  BGE should continue to make maximum utilization of the Tree Reimbursement Program for residents who have had trees removed on their property greater than eight inches in diameter.  The City feels that the availability of this program could be better advertised for City residents and that some modifications to the program to make it easier for residents to receive these reimbursements should be considered.  The City appreciates the recent decision by BGE to extend the date for submission for reimbursement until May 2010. 

As stated at the beginning of our comments, the City appreciates the efforts of BGE to work to improve electric reliability in the City.  However, we would greatly appreciate continued sensitivity to the above issues and BGE working in conjunction with the PSC and the City to resolve these still outstanding issues.