Maryland has a fully deregulated electricity and natural gas market, giving residents across the state the right to choose their own energy supplier. From the Baltimore metro served by BGE to the DC suburbs served by Pepco to the Eastern Shore served by Delmarva Power, Maryland deregulated energy shopping allows households to select a competitive supplier offering a fixed rate below the utility’s default. The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) oversees all licensed Competitive Retail Electric Suppliers (CRES) operating in the state.

Maryland Energy Deregulation: Utility Territories

BGE Territory: Baltimore and Central Maryland

Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) serves Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and surrounding central Maryland including Howard, Anne Arundel, and Carroll Counties. BGE is the largest electric utility in Maryland. BGE customers can shop licensed CRES providers for electricity supply and competitive suppliers for natural gas, as both markets are deregulated in BGE territory.

Pepco Territory: DC Suburbs of Maryland

Pepco (a Potomac Electric Power subsidiary) serves Montgomery County and Prince George’s County — the densely populated Maryland suburbs of Washington DC. Pepco territory has a well-established competitive electricity market. The combination of relatively high electricity rates and strong ISP competition (particularly Verizon Fios coverage) makes the Pepco territory one of the strongest dual-shopping markets in the mid-Atlantic.

Delmarva Power and Potomac Edison Territories

Delmarva Power serves portions of the Eastern Shore and lower Maryland, while Potomac Edison (also FirstEnergy) covers western Maryland including Frederick, Hagerstown, and Cumberland. Both territories have access to licensed competitive electricity suppliers, though the selection may be smaller than in the BGE or Pepco markets.

How to Switch Energy Suppliers in Maryland

  1. Identify your utility territory — Check your bill to confirm which utility delivers your electricity and gas.
  2. Find the current default supply rate — Check your utility website or your state public utility commission for the current default supply rate in your territory.
  3. Compare licensed supplier offers — Use Utility Search Marketplace to see current fixed-rate offers from licensed suppliers in your territory side by side.
  4. Review contract terms carefully — Confirm the rate per kWh, contract length, early termination fee, and that the rate is fixed for the full term.
  5. Enroll online in under 10 minutes — You will need your utility account number. No service interruption occurs during the switch process.
  6. Re-shop at contract expiration — Set a reminder 60 days before your contract ends to compare rates before auto-renewal.

Internet Providers in Maryland

Xfinity (Comcast) is the dominant cable internet provider across Maryland with statewide coverage. Verizon Fios has meaningful fiber coverage in the Montgomery County and Prince George’s County (Pepco territory) DC suburbs — one of the better Fios markets in the mid-Atlantic. For Maryland residents in Pepco territory with Fios access, the Verizon Fios vs Xfinity choice offers excellent internet at competitive prices. T-Mobile Home Internet provides a no-contract 5G option growing across Maryland. Frontier Fiber is available in some Maryland markets. Starlink serves rural Western Maryland and Eastern Shore communities where cable and fiber coverage is limited.

Home Security in Maryland: Vivint and ADT

Vivint and ADT both operate throughout Maryland. In the high-density DC suburb market (Pepco territory), Vivint smart home packages with energy monitoring are popular with homeowners seeking to reduce their total energy spend. Pairing a Vivint smart thermostat with a competitive BGE or Pepco electricity supplier creates a compounded savings effect on your annual energy bill.

Maryland Bundle Savings Estimate

  • ⚡ Electricity: $10–$25/month electricity
  • 🔥 Natural gas: $10–$20/month gas (BGE territory)
  • 🌐 Internet: $20–$40/month internet (Fios vs Xfinity in DC suburbs)
  • 🔐 Home security: $10–$25/month security

Frequently Asked Questions: Maryland Deregulated Energy

Can I shop electricity suppliers in both BGE and Pepco territories?

Yes. Both BGE and Pepco territories are fully deregulated for electricity supply. Licensed CRES providers are available in both territories. The available suppliers and rates differ between territories — always compare offers using your specific utility territory and zip code.

Is natural gas also deregulated in Maryland?

Yes. Natural gas supply is deregulated in Maryland through BGE and Washington Gas territories. If you heat with natural gas, you can shop for a competitive gas supplier in addition to your electricity supplier. Locking in a fixed gas rate before winter is a high-value strategy for Maryland homeowners.

How long does switching take in Maryland?

Enrollment takes under 10 minutes online. The switch processes through your utility within 1–2 billing cycles. Your service is never interrupted — only the supply charge on your bill changes.

Related Maryland Energy and Internet Guides

📖 Internet Choice in Deregulated Energy States: Complete Bundling Guide

📖 How to Compare Energy Plans and Save Money in 2026

👉 Compare Maryland deregulated energy, internet, and home services at Utility Search Marketplace