Berlin, Utility Consultant Working On ‘Fair’ Compensation After Major Error

BERLIN – Town officials say they’re working with their electric consulting firm responsible for last year’s $435,000 mistake to recoup some of the funding.

In the wake of the news of the generation error that cost the town $435,876, Berlin Mayor Gee Williams said this week officials were working with Booth and Associates, the consulting firm reportedly responsible for the error, to recover some of the money.

“Ultimately we’re hopeful we’ll find a level of financial compensation from Booth and Associates we can all agree is fair,” he said. “As with any contractual conflict, there’s always the potential it could end up in litigation.”

In late December, the town was charged by the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) with recovering $435,876 in power costs. According to Town Administrator Laura Allen, Berlin officials meet with the regulatory body each December to review the Berlin Electric Company’s Power Cost Adjustment (PCA). The recent review revealed that the town had failed to generate during a peak period in February 2015. The PSC said the missed peak, because it was one of five the town should have generated during 2015, meant the town would need to recover $435,876 during the next three years.

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