Choice state: you can pick a supplier

Maryland Electricity Rates

Rate data for Maryland is being refreshed. The regulator and market facts below are current; figures return with the next data load.

Electricity and the power grid in Maryland

Can you choose your electricity supplier in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland opened its retail electricity market in 1999 under Maryland Energy Choice, so you can buy the supply portion of your bill from a competitive supplier while your utility keeps delivering the power and handling outages.

ElectricRates.org does not yet list Maryland plans. We add states as our enrollment partner brings their utilities online; you can compare and switch today in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington DC.

Rates and rules are overseen by the Maryland Public Service Commission. Major utilities: BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, Potomac Edison. Grid operator: PJM Interconnection.

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Maryland lets you shop for an electricity supplier, but since January 1, 2025 state law caps residential supplier prices at the trailing 12-month average of the utility's Standard Offer Service rate and bars most variable rates, so the default SOS you land on automatically, priced through PSC-run competitive bidding twice a year, is the baseline every offer is measured against.

Who will deliver your power in Maryland

The utility is fixed by your address. These are the largest in the state, with what each says it needs from a new customer.

Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE)investor-owned

Central Maryland homes and businesses, including Baltimore and its surrounding region; BGE is an Exelon company. About more than 1.3 million electric customers (per Exelon).

BGE's residential Consumer Reference Guide says to request a start or stop at BGE.com/startstop at least three business days before the move date, and that it accepts written or verbal requests by phone, mail or online. It says a security deposit is required 'in some cases', with residential deposits based on 16.67 percent of estimated annual charges, and a non-refundable service application charge of $20 if meters are already on the premises or $40 if a meter must be installed (figures from the 2022–2023 edition of the guide).

Start service with Baltimore Gas and Electric →

Sources: exeloncorp.com, bge.com, bge.com

Pepco (Potomac Electric Power Company)investor-owned

The Maryland portion of Pepco's service area in the Washington, D.C. region, plus the District of Columbia itself; Pepco is an Exelon company. About more than 965,500 electric customers in Maryland and Washington, D.C. combined (per Exelon).

Start service with Pepco →

Sources: exeloncorp.com, pepco.com

Delmarva Powerinvestor-owned

Eastern Maryland and Delaware; Delmarva Power is an Exelon company. About 561,500 electric customers in Delaware and eastern Maryland combined (per Exelon).

Start service with Delmarva Power →

Sources: exeloncorp.com, delmarva.com

Potomac Edison (FirstEnergy)investor-owned

Western and central Maryland: all or parts of Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, Montgomery and Washington counties. About about 285,000 Maryland customers (per FirstEnergy).

FirstEnergy's start-service page asks for the new address or meter number, a Social Security Number or Taxpayer ID, and a start date, and says it 'may require a minimum of two business days' to process an online request (call the Customer Care Center for sooner). A security deposit may be required; the Maryland rights booklet sets a residential deposit at two-twelfths of estimated charges for the next 12 months (no less than $5), waived for applicants 60 or older with proof of age, and the deposit is credited back once bills are paid for 12 consecutive months with no more than two late payments.

Start service with Potomac Edison →

Sources: firstenergycorp.com, firstenergycorp.com, firstenergycorp.com, firstenergycorp.com

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO)cooperative

All of Charles and St. Mary's counties, all but the northern tip of Calvert County, and the southern portion of Prince George's County.

SMECO says to call 888-440-3311 or use its Connect Service form with the exact address and the date you want service in your name; weekday turn-ons may happen as late as 4 p.m., and a weekend move needs service turned on by Friday. Your first bill includes a $16 nonrefundable Service Application Charge, and all new customers are assessed a refundable security deposit (not less than $50 nor more than 2/12 of estimated 12-month charges) that is waived with a letter of good credit from another utility or a credit report from the last 12 months showing a FICO score of 650 or higher; if not waived within 30 days it is billed in two or three installments starting with the second bill.

Start service with Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative →

Sources: smeco.coop, smeco.coop, smeco.coop, smeco.coop

Deposits, ID, and supplier choice in Maryland

Deposits. Under COMAR 20.30.02 a Maryland utility may ask a residential applicant to establish credit (for example, being a Maryland utility customer within the preceding 2 years with no outstanding bills, no nonpayment disconnection and no more than two late payments in the last 12 months; or 3 years' continuous employment; or home ownership; or a guaranty) and may require a cash deposit only if credit is not established. The deposit may not be less than $5 or more than 2/12 of the estimated charges for the next 12 months, must earn simple interest, must be offered in installments when over $50 (the greater of $50 or one-third at start, then at least 8 weeks for $50–$150 or 12 weeks above $150), is refunded automatically after the first 12 months of service with no nonpayment disconnection and no more than two late bills, and is waived for applicants 60 or older with proof of age. (law.cornell.edu)

Choosing a supplier. Yes. Maryland residential customers can buy supply from a PSC-licensed retail supplier or stay on their utility's Standard Offer Service (SOS), the default supply the utility buys through PSC-regulated competitive bidding held twice a year for residential customers. Since January 1, 2025 (SB 1 of 2024), a residential supplier may offer non-green supply only at a price that does not exceed the trailing 12-month average of the utility's SOS rate, for terms up to 12 months, with no variable rates beyond seasonal adjustment, and customers can join a 'do not transfer' list to stay on SOS and stop supplier marketing. Licensed suppliers are listed at mdelectricchoice.com, the PSC's official shopping site. Sources: https://psc.maryland.gov/regulated-utilities/electricity/standard-offer-service/ ; https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2024RS/fnotes/bil_0001/sb0001.pdf ; https://www.mdelectricchoice.com/shop/suppliers/

The PSC's Consumer FAQs say most utilities require at least 72 hours' notice to start, stop or transfer service, may ask for identifying information such as date of birth and driver's license number, and may bill a PSC-regulated service application or installation charge. Supplier contracts must carry a 45-day notice before an evergreen renewal, suppliers may charge a reasonable early cancellation fee but cannot put it on the utility bill, and OPC's consumer guide says you have three business days to rescind a new supplier contract. Households receiving energy assistance may only be offered PSC-approved supplier contracts priced at or below SOS, and as of July 1, 2026 the PSC had approved none.

Sources: law.cornell.edu, law.cornell.edu, law.cornell.edu, psc.maryland.gov, psc.maryland.gov, mgaleg.maryland.gov, mdelectricchoice.com, opc.maryland.gov, psc.maryland.gov

Help paying an electric bill in Maryland

Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) — Maryland's LIHEAP
Maryland Department of Human Services, Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP)
MEAP helps with home heating bills; FY27 monthly gross income limits are $2,660 for a household of 1, $3,607 for 2, $4,553 for 3 and $5,500 for 4 (200% of the federal poverty level), counting all gross income of everyone over 18 in the 30 days before applying. Households receiving SNAP or Temporary Cash Assistance are categorically eligible and do not need to complete an application, applicants must document everyone in the household with Social Security cards or other federal government-issued documents, you do not need a turn-off notice, and you can apply online at MarylandBenefits.gov, or call 1-800-332-6347 to request a paper application; the program year runs July 1 to June 30.
Sources: dhs.maryland.gov, dhs.maryland.gov, dhs.maryland.gov, psc.maryland.gov
Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP)
Maryland Department of Human Services, Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP)
EUSP provides grant dollars that are applied to reduce future electric bills using the same FY27 income limits as MEAP ($2,660/month for one person, $5,500 for four); the grant amount depends on factors including the average kilowatt-hour cost in Maryland and your prior 12 months of usage. The PSC notes the consumer is required to participate in budget billing to receive this grant.
Sources: dhs.maryland.gov, psc.maryland.gov
Electric Arrearage Retirement Assistance (EARA)
Maryland Department of Human Services, Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP)
Pays past-due electric balances of at least $300 up to a maximum of $2,000 (gas arrearage maximum is $1,000), available once per five-year period with exceptions for vulnerable households; applicants must meet the OHEP income limits.
Sources: dhs.maryland.gov, firstenergycorp.com
EmPOWER Maryland Limited Income Energy Efficiency Program (weatherization)
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
Installs insulation, hot-water, lighting, furnace and health-and-safety measures at no charge after a free in-home energy audit for households under the income limits updated 07/14/2026 ($74,800 for 1 person, $85,450 for 2, $106,800 for 4) that have an account with BGE, Delmarva Power, FirstEnergy, Pepco, SMECO or Washington Gas. Households already on OHEP bill assistance, SNAP, TANF, SSI, HUD housing assistance or Medicaid are automatically income-eligible; DHCD intake line 1-855-583-8976.
Source: dhcd.maryland.gov
Fuel Fund of Maryland (BGE customers)
Fuel Fund of Maryland (nonprofit)
Grants for BGE residential customers only who have not received a Fuel Fund grant in the last 365 days, currently have no power or hold an impending turn-off notice from BGE, and have made at least four separate payments to their BGE account over the past year; help is available once every 12 months, approved applicants pay a portion of the balance, and review may take up to 5 business days.
Source: fuelfundmaryland.org
Utility Service Protection Plan (USPP) — Potomac Edison
Potomac Edison (FirstEnergy), for MEAP-eligible customers
Protects eligible low-income households from heating-season shutoffs for nonpayment from November 1 through March 31; all MEAP-eligible customers may participate, and USPP requires enrollment in the Average Payment Plan. The same page lists a 211 helpline for other local bill help.
Source: firstenergycorp.com

Programs that change what you pay

Rooftop solar (net metering)available: The PSC describes net metering as a bill mechanism compensating customers for electricity they deliver to the grid, governed by COMAR 20.50.10 and capped at 3,000 MW of aggregate capacity statewide.
Source: psc.maryland.gov
Community solaravailable: 2023 legislation made community solar a permanent program (the pilot ended December 31, 2024); you subscribe to a project in your own utility's territory (BGE, Delmarva Power, Potomac Edison or Pepco), need no panels on your home, and receive a bill credit for your share of output, with at least 40% of each project reserved for low- and moderate-income subscribers who may be charged no more than 90% of the credit's value.
Source: psc.maryland.gov
Time-of-use ratesavailable: Opt-in residential time-of-use rates exist at the two largest utilities: BGE's Schedule RD requires a smart meter capable of hourly time-of-use data (summer on-peak 3–8 pm weekdays), and Pepco's R-TOU-P is open to existing Maryland residential customers regardless of supplier as long as advanced metering is activated. Sources: https://www.bge.com/cdn/assets/v3/assets/blt71bfe6e8a1c2d265/bltd9617a8f40ce427f/66fec0664c601d756c50ef85/P3_SCH_RD.pdf?branch=prod_alias ; https://www.pepco.com/cdn/assets/v3/assets/bltbb7c204688a1a6a8/bltd5620e43c310f3f0/680fd08a59997b7c478d2307/R-TOU-P_.pdf?branch=prod_alias
Source: bge.com
empowerSurchargeavailable: The EmPOWER surcharge on your energy bill funds EmPOWER Maryland, the efficiency program that began in 2008 under the EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act and run by BGE, Pepco, Delmarva, Potomac Edison and SMECO under PSC oversight; in return residents can claim appliance, HVAC and Home Performance with Energy Star rebates, and DHCD delivers the limited-income version free of charge. Sources: https://opc.maryland.gov/Consumer-Learning/Energy-Bill-Savings/EmPOWER-Programs ; https://psc.maryland.gov/regulated-utilities/electricity/energy-efficiency-and-empower-maryland/
Source: opc.maryland.gov

Questions people ask before moving to Maryland

How far ahead should I set up electricity before moving to Maryland?

The PSC says most Maryland utilities want at least 72 hours' notice to start, stop or transfer service; BGE's guide asks for at least three business days, Potomac Edison's online form may need a minimum of two business days (call for sooner), and SMECO warns a weekday turn-on may happen as late as 4 p.m. and a weekend move needs power on by Friday.

Sources: psc.maryland.gov, bge.com, firstenergycorp.com, smeco.coop

Will I have to pay a deposit to turn on power in Maryland?

Only if you cannot establish credit under PSC rules (for example, recent Maryland utility history with no disconnection and no more than two late payments, or 3 years with your employer, or home ownership); a residential deposit may not exceed 2/12 of your estimated charges for the next 12 months, must be offered in installments when over $50, earns interest, is refunded after 12 months of good payment, and is waived for applicants 60 or older. SMECO also waives its deposit for a credit report showing a FICO score of 650 or higher or a good-credit letter from a former utility.

Sources: law.cornell.edu, law.cornell.edu, law.cornell.edu, smeco.coop

Do I have to choose an electricity supplier in Maryland?

No. If you do nothing you get your utility's Standard Offer Service, whose price comes from PSC-regulated competitive bidding held twice a year for residential customers; you may instead pick a licensed supplier from the PSC's mdelectricchoice.com list, but supplier prices are not regulated, and since January 1, 2025 state law caps residential non-green supplier offers at the trailing 12-month average of the utility's SOS rate and bars most variable rates.

Sources: psc.maryland.gov, psc.maryland.gov, mdelectricchoice.com, mgaleg.maryland.gov

Is there help paying my electric bill if money is tight after the move?

Yes: Maryland's Office of Home Energy Programs runs MEAP for heating bills and EUSP for electric bills, with FY27 income limits of $2,660 a month for one person and $5,500 for four, plus arrearage grants of $300 to $2,000 once every five years; apply online at MarylandBenefits.gov (or call 1-800-332-6347 for a paper application), and you do not need a turn-off notice first. BGE customers facing shutoff can also apply to the Fuel Fund of Maryland.

Sources: dhs.maryland.gov, dhs.maryland.gov, fuelfundmaryland.org

What is the EmPOWER charge on my Maryland bill, and can I get solar without panels?

The EmPOWER surcharge funds Maryland's utility-run efficiency program, which pays you back through appliance, HVAC and Home Performance with Energy Star rebates and free upgrades for limited-income households. Separately, Maryland's permanent community solar program lets you subscribe to a shared project in your utility's territory with no panels on your home and get a bill credit for your share of its output.

Sources: opc.maryland.gov, psc.maryland.gov

Researched 2026-10-15 from utility, regulator, and agency pages; every statement links to where it was read. Rules change: confirm deposits and program dates with the utility or agency before you rely on them.

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