Baltimore Gas and Electric customers will have three opportunities to weigh in on the utility’s request to increase electric base rates by $156.1 million. The Maryland Public Service Commission has scheduled two virtual hearings and one in-person hearing, each starting at 6:30 p.m. The in-person session will be held Nov. 18 at William Donald Schaefer Tower, 6 St. Paul Street, 16th Floor, in Baltimore. The virtual hearings are set for Oct. 26 and Nov. 4. All three will be streamed on the commission’s YouTube channel. BGE estimates that approval of the full increase would raise the total bill for a residential customer using 851 kilowatt-hours per month by about 4%, or roughly $8 monthly. The commission suspended the company’s proposed tariff changes for an initial 180 days beginning Aug. 1 while it reviews the request. Customers who want to speak at a hearing must register by emailing Kimberly Schock at kimberly.schock@maryland.gov. The listed registration deadlines are noon Oct. 22 for the Oct. 26 hearing and noon Nov. 2 for the Nov. 4 hearing. People may also submit written comments through the commission’s Public Comment Dropbox or by mail. Comments must be received by Dec. 23 and should reference Case No. 9888. BGE has said its filing focuses on maintaining its electric system while limiting investments to reduce the effect on customers. The filing also proposes a FlexPay program that would allow eligible customers to pay in advance for anticipated energy use. Regulators are considering whether the proposed rates are just and reasonable.