Side by side (MD, EIA-861)
| Metric | Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) | Pepco (Potomac Electric Power) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 average price, ¢/kWh | 17.91 | 20.08 |
| 2023 average price, ¢/kWh | 16.47 | 18.16 |
| Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr | $1,934 | $2,169 |
| Residential customers (2024) | 1,025,745 | 485,483 |
| Ownership | Investor-owned | Investor-owned |
| Counties served in MD | 9 | 2 |
Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) · Pepco (Potomac Electric Power) · Maryland overview.
Where the territories meet
Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Montgomery · Prince Georges counties (MD, 2024).
Adjoining or overlapping territory in a county does not mean households there can pick between the two — service maps are parcel-level and fixed. The county overlap mainly matters when choosing where to live or comparing town-level costs.
Can you actually choose between them?
No — not for delivery. Distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) and Pepco (Potomac Electric Power) do not compete for the same meters. Maryland does have retail supply choice: customers of either utility may buy the supply portion from a licensed third-party supplier, or stay on the utility's default supply rate. An offer only saves money if it beats your utility's price to compare (printed on the bill); compare offers at psc.state.md.us/electricchoice. The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.
Questions people ask
- Is Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) cheaper than Pepco (Potomac Electric Power)?
- Yes — in 2024 Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) customers averaged 17.91 cents/kWh versus 20.08 for Pepco (Potomac Electric Power) (EIA-861). Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) was cheaper by 2.17 cents, about $235 per year at 10,800 kWh.
- Can I switch from Pepco (Potomac Electric Power) to Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE)?
- No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Maryland does allow supply choice: either utility's customers can shop the supply portion at psc.state.md.us/electricchoice if an offer beats the utility's price to compare.
- Why is Pepco (Potomac Electric Power) more expensive than Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE)?
- EIA-861 averages reflect everything customers actually paid — supply costs, delivery rates, riders, and surcharges across each territory. Differences in generation mix, grid investment, storm costs, and customer density between Pepco and BGE territory all feed the 2.17-cent gap.