Maryland Electricity Rates andRetail Electricity Suppliers

Understand rates, suppliers, local delivery and plan details before comparing electricity options in Maryland.

STATE MD

GUIDE Rates + market

COMPARE ZIP + usage

SECTIONS 8

Maryland electricity rates should be compared as a complete service decision, not as a single advertised number. The useful questions are who delivers power at the address, whether supply choice is available, what the current default supply option costs, and how a competing contract behaves at the household’s normal usage.

Maryland households can choose a competitive electricity supplier in eligible utility territories, while customers who do not choose one generally receive utility Standard Offer Service (SOS). The correct comparison starts with the local utility and current SOS price because BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power and Potomac Edison accounts do not share one universal benchmark.

LOCATION CHANGES THE MATH

Start with your Maryland ZIP code

Rates, utilities and available plans can change by service area. Use your ZIP code as the first local filter.

Electricity market in Maryland

Maryland residential customers can choose a licensed retail supplier for the electricity supply portion of service in eligible utility territories. The local electric company still owns or operates the distribution system and delivers electricity to the home. Customers who do not select a retail supplier receive utility Standard Offer Service (SOS), which is procured through a regulated competitive process and provides the default supply benchmark.

Maryland’s restructured market keeps regulated delivery with the utility and allows competitive supply contracts for eligible customers. SOS provides the default supply reference, but supplier offers can use different terms and pricing. Recent consumer-protection changes make it especially important to verify disclosures and enrollment conditions rather than relying on a sales pitch.

How electricity choice works in Maryland

Choosing a retail supplier changes who provides the electricity commodity, not the utility that delivers it. The Maryland Public Service Commission licenses suppliers, while the Office of People’s Counsel provides consumer guidance. Recent Maryland consumer-protection changes have affected retail-supplier contract rules, so shoppers should rely on current official information rather than old marketing claims or outdated comparisons.

The Maryland Public Service Commission regulates utilities and retail suppliers, while the Office of People’s Counsel provides consumer information and advocacy. Shoppers should compare supplier terms with the utility’s SOS price and confirm that the supplier is authorized for the correct service territory before enrolling.

Utilities and electricity providers in Maryland

Maryland electric service territories include utilities such as Baltimore Gas & Electric, Pepco, Delmarva Power, Potomac Edison and other local systems. The distribution company is determined by the service address and remains responsible for poles, wires, meters, outages and regulated delivery charges. Supplier availability and default SOS pricing can differ by territory, making the utility name an essential part of any rate comparison.

BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power and Potomac Edison are among the major Maryland electric utilities, with different delivery territories and regulated charges. A competitive supplier does not replace them. The utility on the bill determines the local SOS benchmark and remains the contact for meters, wires and outage restoration.

Electricity rates and what affects your bill

The electric bill combines delivery charges with the supply price. SOS is the default electricity supply price for customers who do not use a retail supplier. A competitive offer should be compared with the utility’s current SOS rate and its complete contract terms. Retail supplier prices are not the same as regulated delivery rates and may be higher or lower than SOS. Monthly fees, introductory periods and renewal language can materially change the effective cost.

Maryland SOS prices are a useful supply benchmark, but the total bill also contains regulated delivery charges and taxes. Supplier offers may add contract fees or special pricing conditions. Compare annual consumption across several bills and model only the supply portion that can actually change when the customer selects another supplier.

Fixed, variable and renewable electricity plans

Maryland supplier products may use fixed pricing, renewable features or other contract structures, subject to current state rules. Variable pricing and promotional structures deserve particular scrutiny because the future price may not resemble the initial offer. Renewable marketing should be checked against the contract’s description of the product. The safest comparison separates the electricity supply price from extras such as rewards, memberships or bundled services.

Maryland supplier products can include fixed-rate, variable-rate and renewable options, but consumer-protection rules affect how residential contracts may be marketed and renewed. Read the current disclosure carefully, especially the post-term price and cancellation process. Renewable claims should describe the energy or certificates included in the product.

For Maryland, save the supplier contract beside the current utility SOS information and note the enrollment authorization, effective date and contract end date. If the account is switched unexpectedly or a sales representation is disputed, those records provide a clearer basis for contacting the supplier, utility or state regulator.

How to compare and choose a Maryland electricity plan

Identify the utility and current SOS rate, then compare only licensed supplier offers that are available in the same service territory. Read the contract summary and full agreement, checking price, duration, renewal, cancellation, fees and any incentive. Do not assume that a retail supplier is cheaper than SOS. Maryland consumer guidance specifically encourages shoppers to compare supplier pricing with the utility default and to be cautious with unsolicited sales approaches.

Moving from one Maryland utility territory to another changes the SOS comparison point and can change supplier availability. Establish the new utility account first, then shop for supply. For a same-address switch, verify cancellation conditions and continue using the utility—not the retail supplier—for outages and physical delivery problems.

Moving, switching and consumer considerations

When moving, establish service with the electric utility responsible for the new Maryland address. A different territory can mean a different SOS rate and different supplier choices. Ask an existing supplier whether the contract can transfer before assuming it will follow the customer. When switching without moving, review cancellation rights and the effective date. Delivery outages and safety problems remain utility responsibilities regardless of the supply company.

Maryland consumers can pair the SOS benchmark with our explanations of supplier versus utility responsibilities, variable electricity pricing and renewable supply products.

Frequently asked questions

Can Maryland residents choose an electricity supplier?

Many residential customers can choose a licensed retail supplier for electricity supply, depending on the utility territory and current eligibility rules.

What is Standard Offer Service in Maryland?

SOS is the utility-provided default electricity supply for customers who do not select a retail supplier. Its price is procured through a process overseen by the Maryland Public Service Commission.

Does choosing a supplier change my electric utility?

No. The local utility continues to deliver electricity, maintain the network and respond to outages.

Should I assume a retail supplier is cheaper than SOS?

No. Compare the supplier’s complete price and contract with the current SOS rate. Supplier prices can be higher or lower and may change under contract terms.