------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the April 12, 2001 issue of Workers World newspaper ------------------------- BALTIMORE UTILITY RATES UP: COMMUNITY GROUP PROTESTS, DEMANDS NO SHUTOFF By Steven Ceci At a rousing March 31 rally in front of the Baltimore Gas & Electric Co.'s down town offices, over 250 protesters proclaimed their resolve to stop gas company shutoffs and roll back utility rates. The BG&E supplies gas and electric service to Baltimore and the surrounding areas. Recently, it has doubled and tripled rates. On March 31 a mandated moratorium on winter shutoffs ended, allowing the company to shut off service to anyone who cannot pay the bill. Despite resolutions from the Baltimore City Council, BG&E and the Public Service Commission have refused to extend the moratorium. The Committee to Stop High Gas & Electric Bills of the All People's Congress says this will affect thousands of Baltimore and Maryland residents who are unable to keep up with rising bills. The committee has charged the power companies and gas monopolies with greed and price fixing. Walter Williams, a retiree and member of the committee, said: "The pipes have been in the ground for over 200 years. There is no excuse for this kind of price gouging. It is illegal and we intend to fight it. It is not that people don't want to pay their bills--they can't." Jeff Bigelow, representing union workers, explained how this is a "fight for unions." He said: "Christian Poindexter, the president and CEO of Constellation Energy Group, the parent company of Baltimore Gas & Electric, makes over a million dollars a year. His salary alone could probably pay for the bills for all of you gathered here today. These imposed price increases are about capitalist greed." Towson State University student Robin Bridges and youth committee volunteer Tony Weeks spoke about the problems of young workers trying to start lives of their own. Bridges proclaimed, "People's needs must come before profits." Bridges has a small apartment and received a turn-off notice for a bill of $1,000. The protesters lit candles to demonstrate what many people will be forced to do when their utilities are shut off. They are demanding that the governor intervene under the Emergency Powers Act: roll back rates and stop utility turnoffs because of the health and safety concerns and financial ruin facing workers and poor people throughout the state. On March 30, reporters visited the home of Elnora Watson for a news conference. Watson's bill was over $2,300. Watson and her grandchild have severe asthma. She pointed to a nebulizer machine that is powered by electricity, saying, "Without it I will be forced to go to the emergency room, or worse--my grandbaby may die before we can get help." Watson is scheduled to have her electricity turned off. Protest organizers also called out the names of the children and families who have died in house fires as a result of gas and electric shutoffs. The crowd vowed to dedicate their efforts to all the children of Baltimore and Maryland to prevent these kinds of disasters. The protest ended with Sharon Ceci, who chaired the rally, burning a pink turn-off notice she had received on March 30. She likened her notice to the pink slips that workers are receiving from Mayor Martin O'Malley and many businesses across the country. Ceci said: "We are not ashamed of these slips, because together we can fight back and win. We will take this fight from Baltimore to Annapolis to the White House!" The protesters roared in approval, vowing to continue the fight and chanting, "We're fired up, can't take it no more." The All People's Congress has set a committee meeting for April 9 at 6 p.m. at the downtown library, Poe Room, 2nd floor. APC organizers invite those interested in petitions and other activities to call (410) 235-7040. - END - (Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For subscription info send message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: http://www.workers.org) ------------------ This message is sent to you by Workers World News Service. To subscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send administrative queries to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
