Just like everything else that has been deregulated, Maryland consumers will find today that their options are limited to Option 1 or Option 2 with Baltimore Gas and Electric.

“The problem is that there are not that many choices for electric providers,” said Anirban Basu, an industry expert and president and chief executive officer of Baltimore-based Sage Policy Group.

“I suspect that [consumers] will look at the options BGE is offering and say, ‘Do I take the deferral deal or subject myself to a 50 percent rate hike tomorrow?’ That is the option for most households right now.”

BGE President Kenneth DeFontes Jr. said his company remains committed to aiding its customers.

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“Even after the price moves to market rates, BGE’s total rate for electricity will still be lower than major metropolitan centers in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, including other Maryland utilities such as Pepco and Delmarva,” he said.

According to Basu, the market for electricity choice in central Maryland is “just beginning to form.”

Advocates are calling on Marylanders to demand radical change.

“We need to restore public accountability in the electric utility system and force the utility companies to make smarter decisions about energy resources,” said Johanna Neumann, policy advocate for the Maryland Public Interest Research Group.

“In the short term, we need to invest in energy efficiency because it’s the cheapest and fastest way to reduce energy use,” Neumann said. “We also need to start fixing the bigger problems by requiring utilities to plan ahead to keep costs low, investigating acquisition of generating potential by regulated utilities, and considering public power utilities in Baltimore and statewide. The Public Service Commission needs to act swiftly on known solutions and start rigorously researching the options that will give Maryland the most reliable and affordable electric system.”

“As legislators, we let the public down,” said Del. Jill Carter, D-District 41. “It is incumbent upon us to fix this mess.”

In the meantime, “as with all things, consumers should search for the best price and best service. Electricity is no different in that sense,” Basu said. “We will just have to be vigilant in watching the evolution of the marketplace, and undoubtedly we will enjoy a level of choice that we currently do not.”

Energy providers

There are seven electricity providers licensed by the Maryland Public Service Commission in BGE’s territory.

» Clean Currents LLC, Baltimore

301-754-0430

» Commerce Energy Inc., Costa Mesa, Calif.

1-800-ELECTRIC

» Energy Services Management LLC, Baltimore

410-585-1213

» Horizon Power & Light LLC, Houston

866-727-5658

» OHMS Energy Company LLC, Baltimore

1-877-646-7363

» Pepco Energy Services Inc., Arlington, Va.

1-800-213-7719

» Washington Gas Energy Services Inc., Herndon, Va.

888-884-9437

Source: PSC and Maryland Attorney General’s Office

rchappelle@baltimoreexaminer.com