• Student, B.A. International Studies & Religious Studies

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  • Choreographer, St. Mary's County Summerstock 2012: The Wizard of Oz

  • Shaman, International Spiritual Humanist Society

 

Gov. Martin O’Malley of Maryland (@GovernorOMalley) has reached a settlement with the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), the Constellation Energy Group, and the Exelon Corporation on a proposed merger. This isn’t exactly a development that I was following in the negotiation process, but from what I understand, the Constellation-Exelon merger is huge news for the State of Maryland and a big political win for O’Malley. Some highlights from the merger include:

  • an estimated 6,000 jobs created over the next decade (as opposed to roughly 2,440 in the initial proposal)
  • a “four-fold increase over Exelon’s initial merger proposal, from $270 million to over $1 billion”
  • 285-300 megawatts (MW) of increased energy generation (an exponential increase from 25 MW)
  • doubling or nearly doubling both solar and wind energy capacity
  • creation of an offshore wind development fund
  • creation of Maryland’s first-ever animal-waste to energy facility
  • an $100 credit to all BGE residential electricity rate-payers

The more and more I read about this merger, the more and more I love how the Governor has handled negotiations between the four parties to ensure that Maryland’s taxpaying citizens get the most benefit from the deal. I mean, the guy got Exelon to agree to quadruple its initial offer! This is how you govern, America. Governor Martin O’Malley: moving Maryland forward!

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