Public Hearings This Week On Constellation Deal

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The public can comment on the proposed $7.9 billion takeover of Baltimore's Constellation Energy at public hearings that begin this week.

The first is scheduled Tuesday night at Bel Air's Town Hall. Another is to be held Thursday at the War Memorial Building in Baltimore, and a third is Monday in Annapolis. All begin at 7 p.m.

Maryland's Public Service Commission is deciding whether to approve Exelon's takeover of Constellation, the parent of Baltimore Gas and Electric. The commission regulates the utility. Federal regulators are also reviewing the deal, which some critics say would give the combined company too much control over electricity prices.

The head of the Maryland Energy Administration has also expressed concerns about reliability, Exelon's large fleet of nuclear power plants and its commitment to renewable energy.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)