Rate credits or renewable energy?

It¿s too early in the Public Service Commission review process to say whether the proposed merger between Constellation Energy and Exelon should be approved. But one tantalizing possibility has emerged from the testimony of the two companies¿ chief executives, and in an interview this week with The Sun¿s editorial board. There appears to be some willingness to increase the combined company¿s commitment to building renewable energy generation facilities in the state, beyond the 25 megawatts they have already promised. There¿s some doubt about whether the PSC will consider renewable energy to satisfy the requirement for direct benefits to utility consumers, but in truth, it will do a much more lasting good than a one-time rate credit.