The Maryland Office of People’s Counsel is an independent state agency which represents the interests of residential and noncommercial users in all matters or proceedings before the Maryland Public Service Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In all such matters and proceedings, OPC has the rights of counsel for a party to the proceeding, including the right to participate in all discovery, motions, hearings, and appeals. The duties and powers of OPC are set forth in Public Utilities Article §§ 2-204 and 2-205. Following the 2021 Legislative Session, the Maryland General Assembly expanded OPC’s mandate to require OPC to consider the “environmental interests of the State and its residents, including the State’s progress toward meeting its greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals.” The intent of this procurement is to contract with Subject Matter Experts who can support OPC’s work in a base rate case for a water utility.
