There’s a weather-related disaster, and within days, the interstates are being plied by long convoys of utility trucks and their crews, coming from other states to assist locally, or dispatched by BGE to help in such disasters elsewhere.

Mindful of how high your electricity bill is already, you have to ask yourself, “Who’s paying for that, anyway? Not me, right?”

BGE has, in fact, a long history of helping other states, and has also been on the receiving end of the deal on a number of occasions, in both cases because of mutual-assistance agreements between different utilities.

In the case of Florence, though Maryland sent resources including two National Guard helicopters and dozens of local Red Cross staffers, BGE got a pass.

“Everybody looks at the forecast,” says BGE communications manager Richard Yost, “and we might anticipate days before a storm hits being able to share certain resources to help another state. But we were also within the possible track of the hurricane, and the first priority is to take care of own customers.”

So the utilities in the Carolinas looked further afield to have extra crews on stand-by—this time including crews from Florida, Mississippi, and Arkansas—in case the worst occurred. And it did, so far killing more than 40 people in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, setting records for rainfall from hurricanes in both Carolinas, and causing nearly $50 billion in damages.

But it was just a year ago that BGE helped out in a similar situation: More than 200 employees and contractors were deployed to help restore electric service to customers in the Southeast affected by Hurricane Irma, joining hundreds of others from sister companies owned by Exelon, BGE’s parent.

It’s gone the other way, too, such as in March when a powerful nor’easter caused more than 435,000 outages in the Baltimore metro area. Among those working around the clock to get the lights back on were crews from BGE’s Exelon sister utility ComEd in Illinois, as well as from 13 states including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Canada.

“It makes the utility industry pretty unique to have this system of cooperation to restore our systems as fast as possible,” Yost says.

But about that electric bill: No, it generally won’t be affected by the millions of dollars spent on trucks, travel, wages, food, and lodging for the crews sent to help another state: Says Yost, “All the costs of that are reimbursed by the requesting utility.”

When our power goes out because of pesky branches in our neighborhood, we tend to only think of certain negative four-letter words. But a new partnership between BGE and The Maryland Zoo will turn these limbs that would otherwise be trash into animal treasure.

Beginning this summer, the program will provide branches from healthy trees to the animals at the Zoo for food. In addition to BGE, a number of Exelon’s other companies provide to zoos around the country, including ComEd in Illinois to the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, and PECO in Pennsylvania to the Philadelphia Zoo.

“Normally, we would just be putting these branches through a wood chipper,” said Dan Mance, BGE’s browse program coordinator. “It’s far more beneficial to help the Zoo than to turn it into mulch.”

Once the BGE vegetation management crews identify the healthy trees—only 50 species of trees in Maryland qualify for the program—the branches are bundled, washed, and delivered to the Zoo twice a week. It is then spread throughout various animal enclosures—feeding tortoises, giraffes, and elephants.

Across the state, BGE has cleared more than 2,300 miles of tree lines in 2017 to prevent power outages, and now those trees are helping to feed dozens of animals. The program will save the Zoo nearly $2,000 a week, money that was typically spent to procure out-of-state vegetation for the animals.

“What it’s providing us is the ability to feed out a larger quantity and more variety than I would otherwise have means to,” said Andrew Young, commissary manager for the Zoo. “Just the sheer quantity of what they’re able to bring us is a huge cost savings.”

Young also explains that this browse program, named for the plant material that feeds the animals, has richer nutritional value than hay that had previously been used as a substitute. The animals are also able to get some of their favorite snacks like mulberry and tulip poplar, which would normally be too costly to order. Not to mention, visitors can get a better idea of what the animals’ eating habits look like in the wild.

“A giraffe walking across the prairie in Africa would come upon a tree and just eat directly from it,” he said. “What we’re able to do is hang it on fences and scatter it in other ways based on the animal’s specific needs and manipulate it so they can mimic that natural foraging behavior.”

This long-term partnership will run each year from the beginning of spring to as late in the fall as possible. During the winter months, the browse will be purchased but at a lower quantity and will also be supplemented with other nutritional items.

“Not only are the animals benefitting from the super fresh food,” Young said. “We are able to spread the funds we are saving to other parts of the Zoo.”

We’ve all experienced the frustration when it’s time to refresh or create a resume. With all the new job-searching websites and technology, it can be overwhelming. But imagine if you didn’t even have access to a computer or funds to pay someone else for help?

With unemployment rates upwards of 50 percent in some neighborhoods in Baltimore, this problem is very real. Through a partnership with BGE and Exelon, the Enoch Pratt Mobile Job Center is able to step in and help those people in need. Since launching in May 2017, the Mobile Job Center has helped nearly 10,000 job-seekers in Baltimore find jobs. 

Equipped with 13 computer terminals, experienced staff, and location specific resources, the mobile job bus helps an average of 11 people per hour draft resumes, search for jobs, and prep for interviews. The bus is on the road Monday through Thursday setting up shop in two neighborhoods each day.

“We’ve had people stop us at intersections, honk and wave, follow us to our next location just to get help” said Marlyn Norton, the librarian who runs the job center. “We’ve been able to accomplish so much in just the first year and it’s amazing.”

These statistics are the reason Enoch Pratt Library was awarded the Power of Libraries Award from SirsiDynix, a company that develops software for libraries across the country. This is a national honor is given to library systems that are helping bring about change in their community.

“The social and racial inequalities experienced in Baltimore are immense and the work of Enoch Pratt is truly monumental,” Eric Keith, chief marketing officer with SirsiDynix said in a statement. “When we read about their Mobile Job Center and its success, we were truly impressed. They are a genuine expression of the power a library can have in its community.” 

All services provided on the bus are identical to those offered in every Enoch Pratt Library branch in the city. Along with receiving assistance on job-related inquiries on the mobile unit, customers can also check books in and out, get library cards, and sometimes free legal help. Norton says that this job center was a way to get into communities where people may not have access to a library.

“We aren’t offering anything new,” she says. “It’s simply a new manner in which to do it. Why shouldn’t people who want to work suffer simply because they don’t have access to the resources they need to get a job? We are bringing that access to communities that are lacking.”

From water mains breaks to climbing energy bills, a myriad of issues arise as temperatures inevitably fall each winter.

“People might not think about this, but even if you keep your thermostat at the same temperature you always do, your heating furnace will have to work harder to maintain that same temperature,” said BGE spokesman Richard Yost. “So even if you’re not turning up the heat, you may end up using more energy.”

Here are some tips to help you (and your furry friends) through these frosty winter months without breaking the bank.

Use the sun.
Just opening the curtains and letting the sun’s natural heat do some of the heavy lifting on those cold days will help to keep your thermostat at a reasonable temperature. Just be sure to close them at night to keep the cold air outside where it belongs.

Ceiling fans can help in the winter, too.
If your home is equipped with ceiling fans, have them circulate clockwise on a slow speed to get the hot air stuck in your ceiling down to you.

If your health permits, lower your thermostat.
“The simplest thing to do is to adjust the temperature—especially when you’re sleeping,” Yost said. “If you dial it back 10 to 15 degrees, it might sound like a lot, but if you’re under your blankets you won’t notice it.” BGE customers can save up to 5 percent on heating costs every degree the thermostat is lowered. It’s also a good idea to wear socks and long sleeves when in the house to help keep your thermostat at a reasonable temperature.

Make sure your home is properly insulated.
Frozen and burst pipes are so common in the winter months due to poorly insulated plumbing. BGE customers can take advantage of the quick home energy checkup to have a licensed contractor come to your home to assess your insulation.

Keep your outdoor gas vents clear.
Homes with natural gas appliances have outdoor vents—typically at knee or thigh height. When it snows or gets icy, it is important to keep those vents clear so that the exhaust is not trapped in the home.

Make sure pets are safe.
Speaking of outdoor, we can’t forget about our furry family members in these brutal temps. By law, if the temperature is below 10-degrees, pets are required to have heated housing. Pets exposed to cold temperatures for a long period of time can experience hypothermia. Signs include low body temperature, violent shivering, and blue gums.

“If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pets,” said executive director for BARCS Jen Brause. “It may seem like common sense, but we still see pets come in with hypothermia, half frozen.”

Dogs with short coats should wear a jacket.
Unlike breeds such as shepherds, huskies, malamutes, and retrievers, breeds that do not have an undercoat can get cold quickly.

Pets should avoid salted roads.
It’s not only very toxic if ingested, but it’s very coarse and painful for their paw pads. If they happen to come in contact with it, wipe the pet’s paw off with a lukewarm washcloth to remove any residue.

Keep pets inside.
We know they have to go outside at some point, but shorter walks and potty breaks make all the difference. Less time outside may result in a bored pet, but it’s the safest place for them when the temps get below freezing. The best thing to do is find fun things to do with them indoors like training games and food puzzles.

“This is a great opportunity to interact and play with your pets,” Brause said. “It’s perfect, you can snuggle each other and keep warm.”

From the moment Stuart Forchheimer gets out of bed, often before 6:30 a.m., it’s all about technology.

Without lifting a finger, the kitchen lights come on and from the upstairs hallway an illuminated path downstairs is created. With a quick click on his cellphone, an entertainment system managed by Control4 streams music into the kitchen as he prepares breakfast. But the smart-home features don’t end there: “The automated shades are a big convenience, especially in areas that are difficult to reach,” he says. “You can easily press a button or put them on a schedule to open and close at certain times of the day through the Control4 system.”

Forchheimer should know: He’s president of HS Technology Group, a Baltimore-based technology integrator. But home automation isn’t only a matter of convenience in Forchheimer’s Timonium home—it’s also a tool for safety and security.

He has sensors that he can monitor from his phone that are connected to doors, drawers, and cabinets, so he can always know what’s going on at home.

Jay Steinmetz, CEO and founder of another Baltimore tech firm, Barcoding Inc., has a similar affinity for all things digital: His 1910 Mount Washington home is also fitted with the latest digital wonders.

Steinmetz’s front door automatically recognizes him and unlocks using the August Smart Lock. And with the Sonos music system, “a music alarm goes off to wake the kids in each of their rooms at 6:30 a.m. and turns off 30 minutes later to alert them it’s time to go downstairs for breakfast,” he says. His home is also connected with WeMo motion sensors that are attached to special light bulbs. “I can move anywhere in the house and the lights will come on when I enter the room,” he says.

We downloaded the brains of techies like these two to find out what’s hot on the market. Here’s our shortlist:

Phillips Hue

The Philips Hue White and Color starter kit allows you to sync your lights with your music and movies, or create the perfect ambiance for a romantic evening. Want it to appear you’re home during vacation? No problem: Up to 50 Philips lights and accessories can be added and controlled from your smartphone or tablet using the Philips Hue app. Starter kit $199.95.

Nest Learning Thermostat

This gizmo is a quick learner: It takes note of your habits and adjusts to your lifestyle. It notices when you turn the temperature down for bed and when you crank it up in the morning. After a few days, it will automatically set the temperature for you. It’s also energy efficient, saving on your BGE bill. $249.

Elite Series garage-door openers

With the Elite Series, connected by Wi-Fi, you can control garage doors from your smartphone. “There have been many times when I have left the door open, but I can easily close it from the app on my phone,” says Forchheimer. The MyQ technology allows connectivity from any smartphone, tablet, or computer. Along with the app, you will receive alerts about your garage-door status. Visit website to locate a dealer for pricing.

August Smart Lock

Forever misplacing your house keys? With the August Smart Lock, you can use your smartphone instead to lock and unlock your home. Installation is “unbelievably easy,” according to Steinmetz. “There’s no need to replace your lock.” It even allows you to create virtual keys for guests and can keep track of who’s coming and going in your home. So no one needs to leave a key under the mat when Nana comes to visit. Starting at $199.

Sonos

This gadget and its accompanying app go a little beyond the typical sound system. “The Sonos music system can simultaneously play any song from any artists in any room in the house,” says Steinmetz. Using a third-party Sonos Voice app, you can also speak directly into your smartphone and it will act as an intercom throughout the speakers in your home. Products starting at $199.

WeMo Switch

This Belkin Wi-Fi-enabled switch uses your home’s existing Wi-Fi to control any electronic devices connected to the WeMo Switch. It also allows you to program triggers so your appliances will work without you having to even press a button. “I have a 106-year-old house and I attached my air conditioning unit to the WeMo plug,” Steinmetz says. “When the temp gets over 82 degrees, the WeMo plug turns it on,” says Steinmetz. You already have everything you need—just use this plug, download the WeMo app, and you’re all set. Starting at $39.99.