I wish I could fully understand all this hubbub about the pending rate increases for BGE. It is so complex and everyone has an opinion and some even seem to have facts that could weigh-in on either side of the issue. All I see is that my rates go up, even with deregulation. BGE passes increases on to us in many disguised ways. My bill has a "customer charge" which I am told is for the priviledge of having their meter on my house. Then there are distribution charges, etc. My gas bills last winter nearly choked me and since BGE sells me both, I also question and have written to BGE to ask why, if my gas meter meters cubic feet of gas, am I paying for therms? Their answer on the phone was the therm multiplier is based on the btu of heat value that we get from their gas. I have seen this therm factor as high as 13-15% in recent months. But then to add insult to injury, they charge us distribution charges based on the therms we just bought from them! So I asked them in a letter to show me a therm. Show me a tangible product that I am paying for and paying BGE to distribute to me. No surprise, NO RESPONSE! This Company is making money. A neighbor has some stock and told me recently that her dividends just went up. Did they take out a loan for that too? Lastly, keep "Allegra" off the airways. As I see it, this is just another ploy to increase their expenses to try and justify the rate increase. Yes, I'm mad, I'm fighting mad!!!