"DIRECT CONNECTION" IS MADE BY MPT TO SERVE ALL OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIE AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

LIVE FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" WITH JEFF SALKIN.

*] >> JEFF: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO YOUR "DIRECT CONNECTION."

COMING UP TONIGHT A MAJOR UTILITY COMPANY EXPLAINS WHY YOUR BILL IS GOING UP.

WE WILL FIND OUT JUST AHEAD.

FIRST TONIGHT, SALVAGE EFFORTS CONTINUE ON THE POTOMAC RIVER AS INVESTIGATORS PROBE THE CAUSE OF LAST WEEK'S COLLISION.

67 LIVES WERE LOST WHEN A REGIONAL JET AIRPLANE WAS HIT BY A MILITARY HELICOPTER.

JOINING US IS JOE EICHELBERGER A PILOT AND FORMER AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER WHO IS PROGRAM DIRECTOR AT THE AIR TRAFFIC PROGRAM AT CCBC.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT A LOT OF TECHNICALITY THINGS ABOUT AIR SPACE AND ANGLES AND SO FORTH.

BUT NOBODY IN YOUR LINE OF WORK FORGETS THAT THERE WERE 67 PEOPLE INVOLVED AND EVERY DOT ON THE RADAR SCREEN IS SOME SORT OF AIRCRAFT WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE ON IT.

AND TOUGH, VERY TOUGH THINGS CAN HAPPEN IF THERE ARE ANY MISTAKES.

>> THAT IS EXACTLY RIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

THAT'S ACTUALLY ONE OF THE THINGS I TELL MY STUDENTS IN THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL PROGRAM IS WHILE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS MAKE AN EXCELLENT SALARY THAT SALARY COMES WITH A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY AND ALL OF THE DOTS ALL OF THOSE AIRCRAFT THAT YOU ARE WORKING OUT THERE REPRESENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF PROPERTY AND HUNDREDS OF LIVES AT STAKE.

IT IS THE TYPE OF JOB WITH A HEAVY BURDEN OF RESPONSIBILITY ON THE CONTROLLERS DOING IT.

>> Jeff: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE AIR SPACE IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR NATION'S CAPITAL.

WHY IS IT SO COMPLEX?

>> WELL, IT'S SOME OF THE MOST HEAVILY RESTRICTED AIR SPACE IN THE COUNTRY IF NOT THE WORLD.

AFTER 9/11 THEY IMPOSED A NUMBER OF FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS IN THAT AREA YOU HAVE A ZONE OVER TOP OF WASHINGTON D.C. AND A LARGER SPECIAL FLIGHT AREA SEFRA THAT GOES OUTSIDE OF THAT WHERE THE TRAFFIC CAN MOVE IN AND OUT OF THE AIR SPACE THAT IS HEAVILY WATCHED.

YOU CAN IMAGINE TRAFFIC MOVING NON-OUT OF A PLACE LIKE WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.

IT'S GOING TO BE HEAVILY WATCHED AND HEAVILY RESTRICTED.

THAT AIR SPACE SOME OF THE MOST COMPLICATED BECAUSE OF THE PROCEDURES REQUIRED TO GET IN AND OUT AND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PILOTS TO BE ABLE TO MANEUVER IN THAT SPACE.

>> Jeff: LET ME REMIND OUR VIEWERS IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE CRASH OR INFORMATION YOU WANT TO SHARE SEND US AN E-MAIL LIVE QUESTIONS@MPT.ORG.

I SENT OVER A COUPLE OF GRAPHICS AND WE'LL START WITH THE WIDER ONE A CIRCLE AROUND THE WASHINGTON AREA WITH NATIONAL AIRPORT REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT OR DCA IN THE MIDDLE OF IT AND YOU CAN SEE THE RIVER CLEARLY.

THIS FLIGHT WAS COMING IN UP THE RIVER AND WAS GOING TO MAKE A LANDING STRAIGHT ON TO RUNWAY ONE.

WAS CHANGED AT THE LAST-MINUTE AND TOLD TO DIVERT ON THE RIGHT FOR RUNWAY 33.

TELL US WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN THIS IMAGINE?

>> SO FOR YOUR VIEWERS WHAT THIS IMAGINE SHOWS THIS IS ACTUALLY THE CHART THAT HELICOPTERS TO USE TO NAVIGATE THE WASHINGTON D.C. AIR SPACE AND IT IS AN EXCERPT FROM IT IT IS NOT THE WHOLE CHART.

THE BLUE CIRCLE REPRESENTS A CLASS BRAVO SURFACE AREA.

IT IS THE MOST HEAVILY CONTROLLED TYPE OF AIR SPACE AND EXISTS AROUND THE MAJOR AIRPORTS IN THE COUNTRY.

THE PURPOSE IS TO ALLOW HEAVY VOLUMES OF TRAFFIC MOVE IN AND OUT OF THESE AIRPORTS.

ALL OF THE AIRCRAFT HAVE TO BE ABLE TO BE SEEN ON RADAR AND HAVE TWO WAY RADIO COMMUNICATION WITH AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS GIVEN BY THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER.

WHEN AIRCRAFT ARE APPROACHING ANY AIRPORT THE GOAL IS TO GET THEM TO THE POINT TO EFFECT A SAVE LANDING VISUALLY.

AND MOST OF THE THINGS HAPPEN UNDER THE BLUE CIRCLE HAPPEN UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES.

THE AIRCRAFT IF THEY ARE ON INSTRUMENT FLIGHT PLANS THE GOAL OF THE INSTRUMENT FLIGHT PLANS TO GET CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE AIRPORT THEY CAN PROCEED A VISUAL APPROACH VERY FEW AIRCRAFT ARE ABLE TO LAND WITH STRUCTURES OPT.

>> Jeff: THE BIG BLUE LINES ARE THOSE THE HELICOPTER FLIGHT PATHS?

>> THE HELICOPTER ROUTES YOU'VE HEARD REFERRED TO AND THE HELICOPTER ROUTE HE WAS FOLLOWING IF YOU LOOK IN ABOUT THE JUST A LITTLE BIT LEFT OF THE CENTER OF THE SCREEN AT THE TOP YOU WILL SEE IT WINDS DOWN PAST THE MEMORIAL BRIDGE AND GOES TO THE RIGHT OF NATIONAL AIRPORT AND TURNS INTO ROUTE 4 AND GOES FURTHER SOUTH.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS COMING FROM NORTHWESTERN WASHINGTON D.C. WAS FOLLOWING THAT ROUTE 1 PAST NATIONAL AIRPORT AND WAS GOING TO TRANSITION TO ROUTE 4 AND CONTINUE SOUTH.

>> Jeff: THERE'S SOME CONFLICTING INFORMATION ABOUT THE ALTITUDE OF THE HELICOPTER.

IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE UNDER 200 FEET.

AND THE IMPACT WITH THE AIRPLANE HAPPENED AROUND 300, 350 FEET.

EVEN IF THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN AT 200 AND THE PLANE WAS 300 THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS MERE MISS.

THERE'S SOME INDICATION THAT I'VE READ ON THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SCREENS THEY SAW THE HELICOPTER WAS 200 S. THAT POSSIBLE?

>> IT IS.

IT DEPENDS ON THE RESOLUTION INTEGRITY OF THE TRANSPONDER AND THERE IS A TECHNICAL WORD FOR IT.

THE TRANSPONDER YOU HAVE WHAT IS CALLED A TRANSMITS NOT JUST THE AIRCRAFT'S POSITION BUT SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE AIRCRAFT SUCH AS ALTITUDE.

THE TRANSPONDERS ARE PART OF A SECONDARY RADAR SYSTEM.

WHEN YOU THINK OF RADAR YOU THINK IT BUSTS OUT ENERGY AND BOUNCES OFF A TARGET AND THAT IS PRIMARY RADAR.

SECONDARY RADAR IS A BEACON IN THE AIRCRAFT CALLED A TRAND TRANSRESPONDER AND IT PLAYS MARCO POLO WITH THE AIRPORT.

THE AIRPORT SENDS OUT AN INTERROGATOR SINGLE THE TRANSPONDER RECEIVES IT AND SENDS BACK THE DATA.

DEPENDING HOW TRUE HOW WELL CALIBRATED THE TRANSPONDER IS PROVIDES THE DATA THAT IS BEING PROVIDED BACK TO THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL FACILITY.

SO IF EITHER OF THE AIRCRAFT TRANSPONDERS WERE OUT OF ALIGNMENT OR THE AIRCRAFT WERE MAYBE NOT SET EXACTLY, YOU COULD GET THOSE FALSE READINGS AND THAT WHY WE ALLOW FOR SOME PRETTY WIDE MARGINS FOR SEPARATION IN THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL WORLD.

>> Jeff: YOU TALKED ABOUT HOW MUCH OF THIS IS DONE VISUALLY.

AND WE HEARD IN THE TAPES AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TELLING THE HELICOPTER PILOT TO HAVE VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE AIRPLANE, FOLLOW BEHIND IT AND THE IDEA GOOD VISIBILITY IN A HELICOPTER EXCEPT THEY MAY HAVE BEEN USING NIGHT VISION GOGGLES.

HOW MIGHT THAT HAVE LIMITED THEIR FIELD OF VISION?

>> SO, I HATE TO SPECULATE ON THAT, BUT HAVING BEEN IN THE MILITARY AND WORN NIGHT GOGGLES THEY ARE VERY, VERY SENSITIVE.

IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO WHITE-OUT MILITARY VISION GOGGLES AND WHEN WE GET INTO BRIGHT ENVIRONMENTS WE TAKE THEM OFF.

BECAUSE THE LIGHT SOURCE ALSO DO BLOOMING WHICH CAN DAMAGE THE EQUIPMENT.

BUT IT LARGELY BLINDS YOU.

I CANNOT IMAGINE A AIRCRAFT FLYING WITH NIGHT GOGGLES CLOSE TO THE AIRPORT EVEN IF THEY WERE WEARING THEM, I AM A LITTLE SKEPTICAL THEY WERE WEARING THEM.

THEY MAY HAVE BEEN WEARING THEM AND TAKEN THEM OFF AS THEY GOT CLOSER TO THE AIRPORT.

THAT IS MY SPECULATION I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PILOTS WERE DOING.

IN MATERIALS OF THAT.

>> Jeff: WHAT ABOUT THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEMS THAT AIRCRAFT LIKE THIS CARRY?

NOT HELPFUL IN THIS SITUATION?

WHY WOULD THAT BE?

>> IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN.

THE SYSTEM YOU ARE REFERRING TO IS CALLED CASS IT IS A SYSTEM THAT SOME AIRCRAFT HAVE THAT RECEIVES THE SIGNALS FROM OTHER AIRCRAFT FROM THEIR TRANDZ TRANS RESPONDERS AND RESPONDS TO THEM.

WITH THE T CASS AIRCRAFT IF IT RECEIVES THE INFORMATION FROM AN AIRCRAFT NEARBY THAT IDENTIFIES AS BEING IN A CONFLICTING ALTITUDE, IT IS FOR THE PILOT TO CLIMB OR DESCEND T DOESN'T TELL THE AIRCRAFT TO TURN JUST TO CLIMB OR DESCEND.

THAT IS INHIBITED BELOW A THOUSAND FEET AND THE REASON FOR THAT AS YOU GET CLOSER TO AN AIRPORT YOUR APPROACH TO AN AIRPORT AND THERE IS AN AIRCRAFT WAITING TO TAKE OFF AND YOUR AIRCRAFT SEES THIS TRANSPONDER YOUR AIRCRAFT IS GOING TO FREAK OUT AND YOUR T CASS SYSTEM IS GOING TO TELL YOU TO CLIMB OUT OF THE CONFLICT.

THE T CASS SYSTEMS DETECT THE TRAFFIC BUT DON'T AUDIBLELY ALERT IT.

>> Jeff: VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW, TWO-PART QUESTION DOES AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL HAVE ALTITUDE DATA FROM THE HELICOPTER AND THE AIRCRAFT ON THEIR SCREEN?

IF SO, HOW DO THE AIRCRAFT SEND THAT DATA?

IS IT THAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT PING A TRANSPONDER IS THAT IT?

OR SOME OTHER MECHANISM OF COMMUNICATION?

>> THAT SECONDARY RADAR SYSTEM IS THE PRIMARY METHOD.

THERE IS A NEW SYSTEM CALL ADD ADSB AND IT USES A DIFFERENT SURVEILLANCE METHODOLOGY WHERE INSTEAD OF SENDING OUT A SIGNAL FROM THE AIRPORT, THE AIRCRAFT HAS A GPS ONBOARD AND KNOWS ITS POSITION AND USES THAT POSITION CONTINUALLY.

INSTEAD OF THE AIRPORT HAVING TO ASK THE AIRCRAFT WHERE IT IS THE AIRCRAFT HAS THAT INFORMATION.

AND THAT IS HOW PROGRAMS LIKE FLIGHT AWARE WORK WHERE YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE AIRCRAFT ARE BECAUSE THAT ADSB IS PUBLIC INFORMATION ANYONE WITH A RECEIVER CAN SEE IT.

AND THE REASONING FOR THAT IT ALLOWS ANYONE WITH AN ADSB SYSTEM IN THE AIRCRAFT TO HAVE ALMOST THE SAME TYPE OF SURVEILLANCE THAT YOU HAVE ON THE GROUND FROM THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SIDE.

NOT ALL AIRCRAFT ARE EQUIPPED WITH IT.

AIRCRAFT IN THAT AIR SPACE ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE IT.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT APLAYS TO PUBLIC AND MILITARY AIRCRAFT IF THEY ARE REQUIRED OR ONBOARD WITH ADSB.

IN TERMS OF SEEING THE AIRCRAFT'S ALTITUDE AND INFORMATION IN THE TOWER, YES, WE WOULD.

THERE ARE CERTIFIED TOWER RADAR DISPLAYS TO GET A PICTURE OF OUR TRAFFIC.

BUT THE WHERE I WOULD BE HESITANT TO SAY THAT THAT'S NECESSARILY ACCURATE, IS THE AIRCRAFT BEING THAT LOW TO THE GROUND AND THAT CLOSE IN PROXIMITY IT WILL BE HARD FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TO SEE WITH SPECIFIC RESOLUTION HOW CLOSE THE AIRCRAFT ARE OR WHAT TYPE OF CONFLICT IS DEVELOPING THERE.

>> Jeff: JOE, HERE IS ANOTHER VIEWER QUESTION FROM GREG.

THIS IS A GREAT QUESTION.

IS DCA'S LOCATION FUNDAMENTALLY UNSAFE FOR A LARGE, BUSY AIRPORT?

AND I WILL SAY THIS.

I'VE FLOWN IN THERE A MILLION TIMES IF YOU ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO FLY AT NIGHT AND LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE A WINDOW SEAT IT'S SPECTACULAR.

ALL THE MONUMENTS ARE RIGHT THERE.

>> IT IS.

AND IT'S A CHALLENGING AIRPORT NOT ONLY FOR THE REQUIREMENTS ON THE PILOTS TO GET IN THERE BUT A SECURITY PERSPECTIVE AND LOCATION PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE IT'S IN THE MIDDLE OF SO MANY SENSITIVE LANDMARKS.

YOU HAVE THE NATIONS LEADERSHIP, THE WHITE HOUSE, THE PENTAGON, THE CAPITOL BUILDING, THE SUPREME COURT THE WHOLE GAMUT OF GOVERNMENT IS RIGHT THERE.

RIGHT NEXT TO NATIONAL AIRPORT.

SO THE F.A.A.

AND THE FACILITY REALLY HAS TO MONITOR THAT AIR SPACE VERY TIGHTLY.

I THINK A LOT OF IT GOES BACK TO THE ADD DAMAGE OF YOU CAN'T GROW MORE LAND ONCE YOU PUT AN AIRPORT DOWN IT'S NOT LIKE YOU HAVE OPTIONS FOR MOVING IT.

THE OPTIONS ARE GET RID OF THE AIRPORT IT IS NOT LIKE YOU CAN TAKE SOMETHING THAT LARGE AND MOVE IT DOWN THE ROAD.

IT IS A LOT MORE COMPLEX THAN THAT AND THAT IS A QUESTION A LITTLE ABOVE MY PAY GRADE TO TRY TO ANSWER.

>> Jeff: WE HAVE A MINUTE LEFT.

I WILL ASK YOU AN OPEN ENDED QUESTION APART FROM THE STUFF THAT WE'VE COVERED IS THERE ANYTHING THAT STANDS OUT FOR YOU THAT WOULD BE A GOOD AVENUE FOR THE NTSB AND OTHERS TO INVESTIGATE?

>> I'M RELUCTANT TO JUMP IN FRONT OF THE NSTB ON THE INVESTIGATION AND MAKE PUBLIC STATEMENTS THAT WOULD GIVE THE PUBLIC THE WRONG IMPRESSION.

ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO SAY MY OBSERVATION ABOUT THE INCIDENT IS THAT IF YOU LISTEN TO THE FULL TAPE, THE FULL RECORDINGS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AFTER THE ACCIDENT OCCURS, THE CONTROLLERS MAINTAIN THAT PROFESSIONALISM AND HANDLED WHAT WAS A HORRIBLE SITUATION WITH SOMETHING APPROACHING GRACE.

THEY REALLY KEPT IT TOGETHER AND YOU HAVE TO THINK OF THE TRAGEDY THEY WATCHED UNFOLD ON THEIR DOORSTEP AND THEY GOT THE ACCIDENT RESPONSE MOVING.

THEY HANDLED THINGS JUST RIGHT PERFECT.

>> Jeff: THAT IS A GOOD PLACE TO LEAVE IT, JOE EICHELBERGER WITH CCBC.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU, SIR.

>> THIS WEEK GENERAL ASSEMBLY LEADERS ARE ROLLING OUT LEGISLATION TO RESPOND TO CONSTITUENT COMPLAINTS ABOUT UTILITY BILLS.

JOINING US IS NICK ALEXOPULOS, SENIOR MANAGER OF COMMUNICATIONS AT BG AND E. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

WHAT ARE PEOPLE SEEING IN THEIR BILLS?

WHY ARE COSTS GOING UP?

>> WELL, JEFF, THANKS FOR BRINGING ME ON.

CUSTOMERS ACROSS OUR SERVICE TERRITORY ARE SEEING HIGHER THAN AVERAGE BILLS RIGHT NOW.

AND THE QUICKEST WAY TO EXPLAIN IT IS IT IS A FUNCTION OF INCREASED ENERGY USE IN THE WAKE OF EXTREME COLD WEATHER.

THERE ARE THREE PARTS OF YOUR BILL THAT ARE INCREASED BASED ON 40U67 ENERGY YOU USE.

THAT IS THE SUPPLY PART OF YOUR BILL.

THE DISTRIBUTION CHARGE WHICH IS THE MAIN PART OF THE RATES ALONG WITH THE CUSTOMER CHARGE BUT THAT IS FIXED AND THE EMPOWER MARYLAND CHARGED.

THE MORE UNITS KILOWATT-HOURS FOR ELECTRICITY OR THERMS FOR GAS, THE MORE THOSE THREE PARTS OF YOUR BILL GO UP.

AND WE HAVE SEEN SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN ENERGY PEOPLE WATCHING YOUR SHOW I'VE SEEN INCREASES IN ENERGY USING ME AS AN EXAMPLE I DO NOT HAVE GAS MY HOUSE IS ELECTRIC ONLY.

MY BILL IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS THE USAGE WENT FROM 750 KILOWATT-HOURS TO 2,000 KILOWATT-HOURS.

AND THAT IS REPRESENTATIVE OF COLDER WEATHER, GENERALLY SPEAKING.

YOUR ANNUAL HOME'S ANNUAL ENERGY USE 40% IS DEVOTED TO HEATING.

AND THAT'S WHAT IS REFLECTED IN I WILL ABOUTS RIGHT NOW.

>> Jeff: WHAT YOU ARE SAYING SINCE IT'S BEEN 25, 26 YEARS SINCE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DEREGULATED THE ELECTRIC THE UTILITY INDUSTRY IN MARYLAND, YOU GUYS ARE NOW JUST BASICALLY THE WIRES AND THE PIPES.

YOU ARE NOT GENERATING POWER AND YOU ARE NOT SELLING ANYBODY NATURAL GAS DIRECTLY.

IS THAT RIGHT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

I REMEMBER I SAID THE SUPPLY LINE ON YOUR BILL THAT IS THE IF YOU GET YOUR SUPPLY YOUR ENERGY SUPPLY VIA GAS OR ELECTRIC FROM BG AND E YOU TALKED ABOUT DEREGULATION YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR ENERGY SUPPLIER.

MOST OF OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE BGE.

IF YOU GET YOUR ENERGY SUPPLY FROM BGE WE PROCURE IT AND THE COSTS ARE PASSED TO CUSTOMERS.

THE SUPPLY LINE ON YOUR BILL IS A FUNCTION OF ENERGY MARKETS.

THE WILL BE TRICK MARKET, RUN BY PJM OR NATURAL GAS MARKET.

>> Jeff: THE POWER CHARGED IS RELATIVELY SMALL BUT THE DISTRIBUTION CHARGE WHICH IS YOU GUYS, HAS BEEN GOING UP.

WHY IS THAT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

TO PUT IT PLAINLY, WE HAVE TO MAKE SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENTS IN THE GAS AND ELECTRIC SYSTEM TO ENSURE THAT OUR CUSTOMERS GET THE SAFE AND RELIABLE SERVICE THAT THEY DESERVE.

THESE SYSTEMS ARE COMPLEX, THE GAS SYSTEM SPECIFICALLY IS AGING, ESPECIALLY IN BALTIMORE CITY.

THERE IS INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS OVERA CENTURY OLD.

THE GAS SYSTEM SPECIFICALLY WE ARE REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW TO NOT ONLY MAINTAIN IT, BUT LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE IT, TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS THE SAFEST WE OPERATE AT THE SAFEST WAY WE POSSIBLY CAN.

THERE ARE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF MILES OF OUTMOATED BEAR STEEL GAS MAIN THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED.

REPLACING IT DOES TWO THINGS.

IT INCREASES SAFETY AND RELIABILITY.

BUT IT ALSO REDUCES LEAKS.

AND THAT HELPS US PROGRESS TOWARD MARYLAND'S NET ZERO EMISSIONS GOALS.

THAT IS ALSO HAVE PART OF THE DRIVER OF THE INVESTMENTS IN THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM BECAUSE WE ARE MOVING TOWARD A MORE ELECTRIFIED WORLD AND WHAT THAT IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE REMAINS TO BE SEEN BUT MORE PEOPLE WILL HAVE ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND MORE BUILDING ELECTRIFICATION.

WHEN THIS HAPPENS THERE WILL BE MORE LOAD ON THE SYSTEM AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS TO HAVE MORE CAPACITY TO BE ABLE TO SERVE ALL THOSE CUSTOMERS.

>> Jeff: ONE MORE BIT OF BAD NEWS THAT DOESN'T JUST AFFECT OUR VIEWERS IN THE BGE SERVICE AREA BUT THE WHOLE REGION AND IT HAS TO DO WITH THE PJM INTERCONNECTING THERE WAS A CAPACITY AUCTION AND THE AUCTION WENT BADLY AND AS A RESULT OF THAT PEOPLE'S COSTS ARE GOING TO JUMP UP AGAIN.

WE HAD A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE ON OUR FRIDAY PROGRAM SAY THAT FOR AN AVERAGE HOME, IT'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER $400 A YEAR.

DOES THAT SOUND ABOUT RIGHT?

>> SO WE HAVE THE -- "LET'S GET IT ON"'S ROLLBACK THE CLOCK TO WHAT EXACTLY IS DRIVING THIS.

TWO YEARS AGO BRANDON SHORES GENERATION FACILITY IN NORTHERN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY ANNOUNCED IT WAS PLANNING TO SHUT DOWN.

MADE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SIERRA CLUB TO SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF 2025.

HJM SAID IF THIS PLANT SHUTS DOWN THERE'S GOING TO BE VOLTAGE COLLAPSE IN THE REGION WHICH MEANS BLACKOUTS.

SO QUICKLY, WE FILLINGED OUT A SOLUTION AND THAT IS BRINGING POWER VIA A NEW TRANSMISSION LINE FROM BEACH BOTTOM NUCLEAR POWER PLANT INTO THE BGE SERVICE TERRITORY AND BGE IS ON EXISTING RIGHT-OF-WAY WE DON'T NEED NEW LAND IT'S 37 MILES AND NEW SUBSTATIONS.

SO THIS ALSO DID WAS SEND A SIGNAL TO THE MARKET THAT MARYLAND IS CRUNCHED FOR GENERATION.

WE HAVE MORE DEMAND THAN WE HAVE GENERATION AND WE HAVE TO IMPORT IT.

BEFORE WE DID THIS INTERVIEW I WENT AND LOOKED AT WHAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LOAD IN THE BGE SERVICE TERRITORY AND WHAT MARYLAND IS IMPORTING OR EXPORTING IN ENERGY RIGHT NOW.

THE LOAD FOR THE BGE SERVICE TERRITORY WAS 3600 MEGAWATTS AND MARYLAND IS IMPORTING MORE THAN 4,000 MEGAWATTS OF GENERATION.

RIGHT NOW, MARYLAND IS AT A DEFICIT MORE THAN THE BGE SERVICE TERRITORIES LOAD OF GENERATION.

>> Jeff: WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

YOU MENTIONED BEACH BOTTOM WE HAVE THE CLIFFS HERE AND OTHER GENERATION FACILITIES THAT ARE BUILDING A LOT OF SOLAR, WIND FARM PLANNED FOR OFF OCEAN CITY I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO THAT WITH THE MU ADMINISTRATION IN WASHINGTON.

BUT IS THE BIG PICTURE THERE?

>> SO, YOU CAN LOOK AT THE ENERGY MIX THROUGHOUT THE FOOTPRINT AND FOR YOUR VIEWERS TO KNOW PJM IS THE REGIONAL TRANSMISSION OPERATOR AND PLANNER.

THE UNITED STATES IS SEPARATED INTO REGIONAL TRANSMISSION AREAS.

YOU LOOK AT THE FUEL MIX FOR ALL OF PJM WHICH, AGAIN, I DID RIGHT BEFORE THE SHOW IT CAN VARY BASED ON HOW MUCH ENERGY IS BEING USED.

40% OF THE FUEL MIX IS NATURAL GAS.

THERE IS A AMOUNT THAT IS NUCLEAR.

AND A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT THAT IS COAL.

AND THE REST OF IT IS VARYING FROM RENEWABLES, WIND, SOLAR THAT THING.

ALL OF IT SO -- THAT HE THE FUEL MIX AND IT'S THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FOOTPRINT AND STATES HAVE MORE OF IT AND STATES THAT HAVE LESS OF IT.

AND THAT IS BASED ON STATE POLICY.

IT'S BASED ON WHERE GENERATION COMPANIES WANT TO GO.

BGE DOESN'T GENERATE THE POWER WE JUST DELIVER IT TO YOUR HOUSE.

THE IMPACT IN MARYLAND WHAT WE HAVE CALCULATED, THE CAPACITY AUCTION THE RESULTS OF IT PHASE IN ON BILLS, STARTING IN THIS JUNE.

AND THE I'LL SAY THE NET IMPACT OF THAT AND THE SEASONAL DECREASE IN THE COST OF ELECTRICITY BECAUSE THE DEMAND GOES DOWN FROM WINTER, THE NET IMPACT FOR A COMBINED SERVICE GAS AND ELECTRIC CUSTOMER IS JUST OVER $9 A MONTH.

FOR THAT.

>> Jeff: NICK, IF I'M HEARING YOUR MESSAGE RIGHT, IT'S THAT WE'RE JUST THE PIPES AND THE WIRES DON'T BLAME US, IS THAT ABOUT IT?

>> WELL, WE ALL OF THIS THIS PROBLEM REQUIRES A COALITION OF ORGANIZATIONS AND PEOPLE TO SOLVE.

AND NO ONE CAN SAY THAT THEY HAVE NO SAY IN IT.

OR THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.

REALLY FOR US, AND I THINK FOR EVERYBODY, THIS COMES DOWN TO WE'VE GOT TO SERVE CUSTOMERS AND CUSTOMERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY EVERYDAY WHETHER THERE'S GOING TO BE ENOUGH POWER ON THE DWRID FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO HEAT THEIR HOME, PLUG IN THEIR CAR, KEEP THEIR REFRIGERATEDDER GOING THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THEY SHOULD HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT.

AND THANKFULLY WE'RE SEEING STAKEHOLDERS FROM THE LEGISLATURE DOWN TO THE COMMUNITY LEVEL, START TO CARE DEEPLY ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

AND HOPEFULLY WORK TOGETHER ON SOLUTIONS.

>> Jeff: IS THIS RELATED AT ALL TO THE CONTROVERSIAL POWER LINE THAT IS PROPOSED ACROSS NORTHERN MARYLAND DOWN TO VIRGINIA WHERE THEY ARING ALL THESE BIG, VERY POWER HUNGRY DATA CENTERS?

>> THAT IS THE PIEDMONT RELIABILITY PROJECT WHICH COULD BE CLEAR IS NOT A BGE PROJECT.

THAT PROJECT IS LED BY PSC AND G OUT OF NEW JERSEY NOT A BGE PROJECT.

BUT THE DATA CENTER ISSUE IS ABSOLUTELY PART OF THIS EQUATION.

AND IN SOME CASES IT IS A BIG PART OF THIS EQUATION.

DATA CENTERS USE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF ENERGY.

AND ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF ENERGY.

AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA BECAUSE OF THE FOR VARIOUS REASONS BUT PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF HOW GOOD THE INTERNET LINES ARE UNDERGROUND BECAUSE SO MUCH GOVERNMENT IS THERE, NORTHERN VIRGINIA IS LIKE THE GLOBAL EPICENTER OF DATA CENTERS.

AND MANY, MANY, MANY ARE BEING BUILT THERE AND THERE'S NOT ENOUGH POWER IN THAT AREA TO MAKE THEM RUN.

SO YOU GOT TO BRING POWER FROM PENNSYLVANIA.

AND IT MAY COME FROM THE SOUTH AS WELL.

AND PUT THIS IN INTO PERSPECTIVE FOR YOUR VIEWERS, DATA CENTER CAMPUSES WHICH ARE ALSO BEING BUILT, FIVE OF THOSE CAMPUSES IS BASICALLY THE EQUIVALENT ELECTRIC LOAD OF ALL BGE.

1.3 MILLION CUSTOMERS.

SO IF YOU BUILD FIVE DATA CENTER CAMPUSES IT'S LIKE DROPPING AN ENTIRE BGE IN ONE SMALL AREA AND THAT IS COMPLETELY UNSUSTAINABLE WITHOUT MAJOR, MAJOR, MAJOR GENERATION AND ELECTRIC INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.

>> Jeff: NICK ALEXOPULOS JOINING US FROM HIS FULLY ELECTRIFIED HOME.

NICK WITH BG AND E WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU.

>> Jeff: AND THAT IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" FOR THIS WEEK.

WE'RE BACK FRIDAY WITH "STATE CIRCLE" AND THE LATEST ON MARYLAND POLITICS AND JOIN US WEDNESDAY FOR COVERAGE OF THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS LIVE AT NOON AND REBROADCAST AT 7:00 P.M. FOR ALL OF US AT MPT THANKS FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.