Baltimore Gas and Electric is urging customers to conserve electricity this afternoon and evening after a generating station unexpectedly disconnected from the local grid this morning. The unplanned outage at the plant has the potential to strain the system during peak hours; BGE says it is working with the plant owner on repairs while regional grid operator PJM Interconnection reviews available capacity across the Mid-Atlantic.
What BGE is doing now
– An emergency cycling event is active for customers enrolled in PeakRewards Air Conditioning. Central AC units will be cycled to each customer’s enrolled level — 50%, 75%, or 100% — for the duration of the event, and participants cannot override the cycling. Customers with medical needs can call the PeakRewards hotline at 1-888-309-PEAK (7325) for assistance.
– Customers in the Connected Rewards Air Conditioning program may see thermostat settings adjusted by up to four degrees. These customers can opt out of the adjustment by changing the thermostat at home.
– BGE warns the event “has the potential to cause a temporary power outage this afternoon and evening to protect the grid.” If rotating outages become necessary, the utility says it will make every effort to notify affected customers in advance and will share updates as they become available.
How to prepare now
BGE recommends customers take steps immediately to prepare for a possible short-duration outage:
– Store bottled water and easy-to-prepare, nonperishable foods.
– Fully charge phones, laptops, electric vehicles, and portable battery packs.
– Keep a corded landline available to report outages if cell phones lose power.
– Place a working flashlight with fresh batteries on each floor.
– Those who rely on refrigerated medications or electrically powered medical equipment should arrange backup plans.
Simple ways to conserve energy today (if health permits)
– Raise thermostat settings a few degrees and use ceiling or portable fans.
– Close blinds and curtains to keep out heat.
– Delay cooking and other heavy-use appliances (ovens, dishwashers, clothes dryers).
– Turn off non-essential lights, electronics and devices.
– Unplug rarely used appliances to avoid standby power draw.
What remains unknown
BGE has not identified the plant that went offline and has not provided an estimated time for full restoration. Customers should monitor official BGE channels for updates.
Why this matters — a brief explanation
When a large generating unit disconnects unexpectedly, the available supply of electricity drops. During late-afternoon and evening peak demand, the imbalance between demand and supply can force operators to take protective actions — such as temporarily interrupting power to certain areas — to avoid wider, uncontrolled outages or damage to infrastructure. Demand-response measures (like BGE’s cycling and thermostat adjustments) reduce peak load and help maintain grid stability while repairs and capacity assessments are underway.
Additional comments and practical tips for readers
– Charge a small portable power bank now and keep it accessible for essential devices.
– Keep refrigerator and freezer doors shut as much as possible to preserve cold temperatures during brief outages.
– Check on elderly or medically vulnerable neighbors and ensure they have contingency plans.
– If you participate in utility demand-response programs and have health concerns, contact the program hotline early to arrange accommodations.
– Consider setting up text or email outage alerts from BGE so you receive any notices quickly.
Short summary
A generating station unexpectedly disconnected from the BGE system this morning, prompting the utility to ask customers to conserve electricity and to activate emergency cycling programs. BGE is coordinating repairs while PJM evaluates regional capacity. Customers enrolled in PeakRewards or Connected Rewards will see temporary adjustments to their AC. Prepare now for a possible short outage and follow BGE updates.
Hopeful note
Although the situation could lead to temporary disruptions, rapid coordination between BGE, the plant owner and PJM — together with customer conservation — can minimize the need for rolling outages. Small actions by many customers (raising thermostats a few degrees, delaying major appliance use) make a real difference in protecting grid reliability while repairs are completed.