Energy choice has been alive in the state of Maryland for almost a decade, but it is only now beginning to sustain a healthy heartbeat. Increased customer awareness concerning competitive power is largely centered around the recent BG&E rate hike announcement. Maryland electricity choice provides a way for BG&E consumers to avoid the rate hike.

Baltimore Gas & Electric (BG&E) recently increased their electricity supply default rate and stated that their rates will shoot up another 17% on June 1, 2013 just in time for the high electricity usage summer season. This has caused BG&E default paying customers to start shopping the market for more competitive electric rates. BG&E is the largest electric utility in Maryland and is responsible for providing default service for all Baltimore electricity users.

Default customers are those consumers who have not taken the time to compare electric rates in the competitive market. These customers pay the BG&E price to compare rate, a price that is regulated by the Maryland Public Service Commission and the benchmark for competitive energy companies to offer pricing. Competitive electric rates must contain everything that the BG&E price to compare contains, allowing BG&E customers to compare prices on an even playing field.

The Met-Ed electricity default rates will increase for all rate classes across the board, including those for small and large businesses, starting December 1st. The new Met-Ed default rate for a business customers will go up to $0.09133/kWh. This will be an increase of 12% for companies who are still using Met-Ed as their default electric supplier. Businesses in the Met-Ed territory who are still on default service can expect to see the increase reflected on their first Met-Ed electric bill received in 2013.

Pennsylvania competitive electricity commercial rates are substantially lower than Met-Ed’s default rate. Commercial customers in Pennsylvania looking to switch to a competitive electricity supplier can expect to save 20-35% based on current market conditions. If a business looking to lower their costs decides to lock in a rate with a competitive electricity supplier they will still only receive one electric bill from Met-Ed.

With January and February expected to be cooler than last year, the demand for energy will go up which is sure to put more upward pressure on commercial electricity rates. Pennsylvania businesses looking to get off the Met-Ed default rate should consider locking in a rate before the holiday season swings into full gear.