How electricity choice works in Maryland
Maryland customers may purchase electricity supply from a supplier licensed by the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC), or remain on Standard Offer Service (SOS) provided through their electric company. The utility still delivers the power, maintains the lines, and handles outages. Official shopping resources include the PSC’s Standard Offer Service page, Maryland Electric Choice, and the PSC’s commercial and industrial supplier search.
Peoples Power Choice can review a recent bill and present current fixed-rate options. We do not publish rates here, and we do not quote variable or teaser prices.
Which utilities are in the competitive market
The Maryland PSC’s electric-choice resources identify these electric companies:
- BGE (Baltimore Gas and Electric)
- Pepco
- Delmarva Power
- Potomac Edison
- Choptank Electric Cooperative
- Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO)
The four investor-owned utilities — BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, and Potomac Edison — are the companies most commercial customers will see when they shop for competitive supply. Choptank Electric Cooperative and SMECO also appear on the PSC’s supplier-search tools; confirm on the PSC site or your bill whether your account can shop. If you are unsure, tell us in the chat or call 855-330-3580 and we will be clear about what we can and cannot do.
What your utility still does
Your electric company remains responsible for delivering electricity, maintaining the local system, metering, billing for delivery, and outage or emergency response. If the lights go out, you call the utility, not the competitive supplier. A supplier provides the supply portion of the bill, not outage response. You may receive one combined bill or two bills, depending on the supplier.
How a broker helps with shopping and renewals
Peoples Power Choice is independent. We shop licensed suppliers for fixed-rate contracts, help you compare an offer with your current supply arrangement — including Standard Offer Service — and watch contract end dates and automatic-renewal terms. Maryland customers should always ask whether a price is fixed or variable, how long the term lasts, whether the contract auto-renews, and whether there is an early-termination fee. We quote fixed rates only.
Start a chat with Optimus — it will open already set to Maryland — upload a recent bill, or call 855-330-3580. A specialist follows up with current fixed-rate options only. Leads go to info@peoplespowerchoice.com.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose my electricity supplier in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland customers may choose a Public Service Commission-licensed electricity supplier or stay on Standard Offer Service from their electric company. The PSC shopping tools list BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, Potomac Edison, Choptank Electric Cooperative, and SMECO. Confirm your company on the PSC site or your bill, especially if you are a co-op customer.
What is Standard Offer Service?
Standard Offer Service (SOS) is the electricity supply your electric company provides if you do not choose a competitive supplier. Delivery of the power still comes from that same company either way.
If I switch suppliers, who do I call for an outage?
Call your electric company — BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, Potomac Edison, or the co-op named on your bill. The utility still delivers the electricity and handles outages. A competitive supplier provides the supply portion of the bill, not outage response.
How does a Maryland energy broker help, and do you show rates here?
Peoples Power Choice reviews your bill and current contract dates, then presents fixed-rate options from licensed suppliers. We do not publish or invent rates on this page or in the Ask Optimus chat. Start a Maryland chat, upload a bill, or call 855-330-3580.
Official sources
These are the government and utility references used for this page. They are the best place to confirm whether your address can shop.
- Maryland PSC — Standard Offer Service — explains SOS as the default supply if you do not choose a competitive supplier, and links to shopping resources
- Maryland Electric Choice — official shopping site used with the PSC’s electric-choice program
- Maryland PSC — C&I supplier search — commercial and industrial supplier search; the PSC tools list BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, Potomac Edison, Choptank Electric Cooperative, and SMECO