Potomac Edison Asks Maryland for a $52.8 Million Distribution Increase: About 5.3% for Homes

Potomac Edison, the FirstEnergy utility serving western and central Maryland, has asked state regulators to raise its distribution rates. The request is in its early stages; the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) has not ruled.

The Request at a Glance

What the Company Says It Is For

Potomac Edison’s announcement lists reliability work:

• SCADA technology for better system visibility and faster crew response.
• Replacing substation reclosers and adding circuit ties and automation.
• Reconductoring overhead lines and replacing aging underground cable.
• Removing more high-risk trees near power lines.

The company also says that as of June 1, its Maryland rates were 25% below the average of in-state peers.

Putting 5.3% in Dollars

Hoodline, citing Maryland’s Office of People’s Counsel, reported Potomac Edison’s current residential rates as of August 2026:

At 1,000 kWh (our arithmetic):

• Current bill: $6.00 + (1,000 × 2.287¢) + (1,000 × 11.22¢) = $141.07, before taxes and surcharges.
• 5.3% of that: about $7.48 a month.
• Distribution portion today: $6.00 + $22.87 = $28.87.

If the whole $7.48 landed on the distribution portion, distribution charges would rise about 26% ($7.48 ÷ $28.87). That is an illustration of why a 5.3% total-bill change can mean a much larger change in one part of the bill. The actual rate design is in the filing, which we did not read.

The $9.47 question. PowerLines reported about $9.47 a month. If that is also 5.3%, it implies an average bill near $178.68 ($9.47 ÷ 0.053), which would mean more usage, taxes and surcharges included, or both. We could not confirm which. Treat both as estimates of the request, not of the final outcome.

History: Last Time It Was Cut Nearly in Half

In its 2023 Maryland case, Potomac Edison requested $50.4 million and was approved for $28.0 million, according to Hoodline. That is 56% of the request ($28.0 ÷ $50.4). The approved increase was about $4.84 a month, about 4.9%, for a customer using 1,000 kWh.

What Happens Next

The PSC will review the case through testimony from its staff, the Office of People’s Counsel and other parties, likely public hearings, and a final order. We could not open the PSC’s case docket, which was behind a site security check, so we do not have hearing dates or a decision deadline. Maryland rate cases typically take months. See how electric rate cases work.

What It Means for Potomac Edison Customers

1. No change yet. Rates change only after a PSC order.
2. Supply is separate. This request covers distribution. If you buy supply from a third-party supplier, that price is set by your contract. See how to compare supplier offers.
3. For solar owners: under Maryland’s net metering, each solar kWh offsets the retail rate, so a higher distribution charge raises its value. See the solar section of our Maryland guide.
4. To comment, watch for a PSC notice of public hearings, or contact the Office of People’s Counsel.

Potomac Edison’s West Virginia sister case is separate. See our West Virginia guide.

Limitations

Bill figures are the company’s or PowerLines’ estimates of the request. Current rates come from a news summary of Office of People’s Counsel data. We did not read the filing or the PSC docket.

Sources

• FirstEnergy, “Potomac Edison Proposes Rate Adjustment to Support Electric System Reliability” (last modified September 8, 2026)
• Hoodline, “Potomac Edison seeks $52.8 million Maryland distribution revenue increase,” September 13, 2026
• PowerLines, “What drove record-breaking utility rate requests in Q3 2026?,” October 7, 2026
• Forever Cumberland, “Potomac Edison proposes rate increase,” September 17, 2026