Community marches on CEO’s mansion to stop rate hike

Community and union activists marched March 22 to the opulent home of Constellation Energy CEO, Mayo Shattuck III, to stop an enormous electric rate hike. By July 2006, rates are slated to increase by 72 percent after caps are lifted, following a deregulation plan passed by the state legislators in 1999. Electric costs are estimated to increase on average $743 yearly per household.

This increase has touched off a statewide crisis for workers and debates among state legislators over a pending $11.4 billion merger between Constel lation Energy and the FPL Group of Florida. Shattuck him self will reap $40 million from the merger.

Renee Wash ing ton of All Peoples Con gress, an organi zer of the protest, stated, “This increase is a disaster. We are not only calling for no rate hike; we are demanding that the people take over BGE. Gas and electric should be for the people, not for profit.”

Protesters were met by police in squad cars, on foot and in a motorcycle caravan. Police blocked off the street where Shat tuck lives and forced cars to detour. The group nevertheless persisted and marched around the police to Shattuck’s fancy home.

Groups participating included the All Peoples Congress, AFSCME Council 67, ACORN, and the Green Party. A planning meeting to launch a statewide coalition is scheduled for April 5 at the downtown libr ary, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.iacenter.org/folder01/baltimore.htm or e-mail [email protected].