In Maryland, local electric utilities deliver electricity to homes and businesses. There are four main electric utilities in the state, along with two electric cooperatives and some smaller municipal utilities.
Each utility is allowed by the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) to serve a specific area. This means they are the only company that can run electric service in that area, known as PSC Service Areas. These utilities own and maintain the power lines and equipment that deliver electricity to your home.
Rates and fees charged by the electric utilities are reviewed and considered for reasonableness by the MD PSC in rate cases and other administrative proceedings.
Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation. The utility provides both electric and gas service in the central Maryland area, including Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel Counties, most of Howard, Carroll and Harford Counties, and parts of Prince George’s, Montgomery and Calvert Counties.
Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO) is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation. PEPCO provides service in most of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County as well as service in the District of Columbia.
Delmarva Power is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation. Delmarva provides electric service throughout the Upper and Lower Eastern Shore, and in Delaware.
Potomac Edison Company is a subsidiary of First Energy, and has affiliate utilities operating in Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. The utility provides electric service in Allegany, Washington, Garrett and Frederick Counties, and portions of Carroll, Howard and Montgomery Counties.
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SMECO) provides electricity service to its cooperative members in Southern Maryland, in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s Counties.
There also are some smaller electric utilities in Maryland regulated by the MD PSC. These include municipal utilities operated by the Towns of Hagerstown, Berlin and Williamsport and the Easton Utilities Commission.
Maryland law permits "electricity suppliers" to offer electricity supply to retail customers, including residential customers, in addition to the regulated electric utility. The suppliers must have a license from the MD PSC and comply with the law and MD PSC regulations. Supplier prices are not subject to regulation.