Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) has announced that it has successfully repaired the Brandon Shores Transmission Substation following an unplanned disconnection that temporarily impacted thousands of customers across central Maryland on Monday. Officials confirm that the risk of further BGE power outages has now been eliminated — as long as the repair holds.
4,000 Customers Affected
The incident occurred just before 4 p.m., when transmission equipment unexpectedly disconnected from the BGE electric system. According to Senate President Bill Ferguson, approximately 4,000 customers in Howard County lost electricity for around 30 minutes.
While the outage was short-lived, the potential for a more widespread Maryland power outage prompted BGE to issue an urgent appeal for customers to conserve electricity.
Residents like Margie McClure from Catonsville described the moment power went out. “I was scrambling to get the generator started, but thankfully, it came back on quickly,” McClure said. “Everybody’s got to do their part to keep the system running.”
Preventing a Larger Outage
BGE reported that the disconnection could have triggered a temporary, widespread outage across the region during peak demand hours between 4 and 6 p.m.
To prevent that scenario, the utility urged residents to delay using major appliances, turn off non-essential electronics, and conserve energy until repairs could be completed.
A BGE spokesperson explained, “Energy conservation helps reduce the potential for an outage. If an outage becomes necessary, we will alert customers in advance.”
Restoration and No Ongoing Threat
By 6:30 p.m., BGE confirmed that the substation repair was complete and the conservation request had been lifted. The company now says it does not anticipate additional outages related to this incident, though it will continue monitoring the grid closely.
Governor Wes Moore’s office released a statement emphasizing that the Moore-Miller Administration had been in “constant communication” with BGE and PJM Interconnection to ensure grid stability. “We encourage Marylanders to continue energy conservation as a good practice, even outside of emergency situations,” the statement read.
BGE’s Preparedness Recommendations
Although power has been restored, BGE is reminding customers to be prepared in case of future outages. The utility’s tips include:
- Keeping bottled water and non-perishable food on hand.
- Charging cellphones, computers, and battery-powered devices.
- Having a flashlight with fresh batteries on each floor.
- Making arrangements for refrigeration of medication or backup power for medical devices.
- Reducing the use of large appliances during peak hours.
These recommendations are part of BGE’s ongoing strategy to limit the impact of potential BGE outages and maintain system reliability.
Maryland Power Outages Remain a Concern
While this particular BGE outage was resolved quickly, Maryland’s power grid continues to face challenges from extreme weather events, aging infrastructure, and increasing energy demand. Industry experts warn that conservation measures will remain important during high-demand periods, especially in the summer.
For customers, that means taking proactive steps to reduce usage during heat waves or cold snaps — actions that can make the difference between stable service and a widespread blackout.
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