Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. has announced that more than 200,000 of its residential electric customers – approaching 20 percent of all residential customers - are purchasing their electricity from third-party suppliers, double the number just one year ago. According to BGE, this is a strong indication that competition in Maryland is providing customers with more choices and competitive prices for electricity.

In addition to the 200,000 residential customers shopping for their power, more than 45,000 of BGE’s business customers – roughly 40 percent of all business customers - are purchasing their power from third-party suppliers. Overall, 47 percent of the electric supply in BGE’s service area is provided by competitive retail suppliers.

“BGE customers continue to recognize that they can save real money by purchasing their electricity from third-party suppliers,” said Kenneth W. DeFontes, president and chief executive officer of BGE. “The number of third-party suppliers offering to sell electricity to BGE customers continues to grow, providing new opportunities for BGE customers to purchase their electricity at prices that may be lower than BGE’s Standard Offer Service. This is the strongest signal yet that competition related to electricity supply is working in Maryland.”

BGE continues its aggressive educational outreach campaign to help ensure customers are aware of the supplier options available to them. Additionally, representatives of third-party suppliers may contact customers in-person, via telephone or by mail seeking their business. In addition to offering price-related options, some third-party suppliers may also offer “green” options such as wind and solar power. For customers who choose third-party suppliers, BGE remains their energy delivery company and will continue to respond to power outages and other emergencies.