BGE Osprey Watch Program’s First Year Leads to Safer Birds, Increased Reliability
Program Allows Customers to Notify BGE of Nests Located on Electric Equipment
Customers reported 23 osprey nests located on Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) electric equipment during the inaugural season of the company’s Osprey
Watch program. March through September marks osprey season in the Chesapeake Bay region and with it the increased chance of
electric outages caused by the birds or their nests.
“The first year of Osprey Watch has been a great success. By providing our customers with a way to help us protect ospreys and
also prevent potential power outages, we are partnered with them in delivering smart energy,” said Alexander Núñez, BGE’s senior
vice president of regulatory and external affairs and member of the board of Audubon Maryland-DC. “BGE’s focused environmental work
has been recognized by groups like the National Wildlife Federation and Wildlife Habitat Council. We will not stop, however, in
seeking ways to be even better stewards.”
The nests were found in Harford County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Anne Arundel County. Each nest was evaluated and
either moved to a newly installed nest platform, shielded from electric equipment with protective material or removed if empty.
Four nesting platforms were installed: two located at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, one at the Oyster Harbor Community in
Annapolis and one in Pasadena.
“Providing reliable electricity is one of our basic responsibilities, but when we can pair this with keeping wildlife like
ospreys safe, it turns into a win-win,” said Chris Burton, BGE’s vice president of electric distribution. “BGE’s longstanding
commitment to environment stewardship has always included a comprehensive plan to protect wildlife and Osprey Watch enables
everyone to help ensure that ospreys have a safe nesting season on the Chesapeake Bay.”
Even in the off season, any customer who identifies a nest on or near utility equipment can let BGE know by following these
steps:
- Report the location of the osprey nest via ospreywatch@bge.com:
- If the pole is easily accessible, send the pole number, located on a placard near eye level on
the pole.
- If the pole is not easily accessible, send the nearest address to the pole and attach photos of
the pole if possible.
BGE, founded in 1816 as the nation’s first gas utility, is Maryland’s largest natural gas and electric
utility. Headquartered in Baltimore, BGE delivers power to more than 1.25 million electric customers and more than 650,000 natural
gas customers in central Maryland. The company’s approximately 3,200 employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery of
natural gas and electricity, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental stewardship and community
assistance. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation’s leading competitive energy provider. Like us on
Facebook and follow us on Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE)
Richard Yost, richard.yost@bge.com
BGE Media Hotline: 410-470-7433
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