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BGE Celebrates 200 Years In Business

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- This year, Baltimore Gas & Electric will celebrate its 200th year. Monday, its CEO spoke with WJZ about their plans.

Mike Schuh has more.

You may have driven by it, walked near it or even leaned on it. Two hundred years ago, the first street lamp in America was lit on a street corner south of City Hall. The company lit it grew up to become BGE.

In 1816, slaves were still sold in Baltimore, there were only 18 stars on our flag and James Madison was president. With the lighting of gas lamps, soon cities across the country turned back the night.

The gas company, of course, later became the gas and electric company. Two hundred years is a milestone the company now wants to recognize and celebrate.

"It's an amazing thing to think that BGE is turning 200 in June of this year and we have community events planned across our entire service territory," said BGE CEO Calvin G. Butler, Jr.

From art installations to Fourth of July celebrations, you'll hear more from the company in months to come. But in the meantime, it wants people to know that corporate pride means something to them--because while they now are the only way for some to get gas and electricity, the world is changing so quickly that may not always be the case.

"One day, we believe that technology is emerging that you will have the choice for that backbone, that infrastructure, and we want customers to feel good about choosing BGE as their supplier---not only as their supplier but as their transporter for electricity and gas," Butler said.

Until then, the CEO says he wants customers to know they're spending billions to keep the system reliable.

The first part of BGE's recognition will be their sponsorship of the "Light City" public art display along the Inner Harbor this spring.

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