Maryland's Public Service Commission struck back at an industry proposal to change the rules for wholesale electricity auctions, saying the plan would protect industry profits and block construction of new generators.

The PSC "strongly protested" the proposed change before federal regulators, the agency said in a prepared statement.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is considering the proposal from the PJM Power Producers Group, an industry consortium that includes Constellation Energy, owner of Baltimore Gas & Electric. The change, which would raise the minimum price for one type of electrical service, would hinder Maryland and other states from ordering the construction of needed generation plants, the commission argued.