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Corporate greed to blame for high energy bills

March 7, 2025

Let's talk energy prices, Delmarva Power to be precise, which I think provides most of our electricity in these parts. They are a wholly owned subsidiary of Exelon Energy, the largest energy conglomerate in the USA.  

First, let's be clear, Exelon does not generate any electricity. Let me repeat that. They generate no electricity! So mandates to build solar, wind, or to decommission or clean up coal plants are not their responsibility. This costs them zero dollars! So when they tell you this is what is driving your electric bill higher, that would be a lie. What is making your bill higher is corporate greed and the need to pay $2.40 per share in dividends, which amounts to 10% of gross revenue, not net, according to their current SEC fillings. Their profits have been growing at a rate of 6% to 10% per year for at least the last five years, with every penny going to the shareholders. How much has your bill gone up each year? About the same. Strange coincidence, I'm sure.

So even if mandates for clean energy were the cause of high prices, which I doubt, why doesn't the company pay any of that cost? Why is it passed directly to the consumer? Why do the shareholders come before the public in what is described as a public utility? 

These are the questions we should be asking.

Brian Howard
Magnolia
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