State regulators and public advocates last week filed a new complaint in their nearly two-year effort to force a reduction in the formula transmission rates for Baltimore Gas and Electric and Pepco Holdings Inc. utilities.

Officials in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and D.C. said they opened the new docket (EL15-27) to introduce an updated rate analysis that takes into account updated financial market data and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s June order revising the method for calculating base returns on equity. (See FERC Splits over ROE.)

The complainants asked that the case be consolidated with their 2013 complaint (EL13-48). That case is scheduled to go to hearing next July, after settlement talks reached an impasse last month.

The new complaint seeks to reduce the companies’ base ROE to 8.8%. The companies are currently receiving ROEs of 10.8% on facilities placed in service before Jan. 1, 2006, and 11.3% on facilities added afterward.

PHI affiliates affected are Potomac Electric Power Co. (PEPCO), Delmarva Power & Light and Atlantic City Electric.