Residents living in Columbia, Maryland have the choice to select an alternative electric supplier and lower the supply rate on the electric bill. Columbia electricity rates are open to competition from outside energy suppliers looking to increase their customer base. The increase in competition has helped put downward pressure on electricity rates in the state of Maryland while giving Columbia residents a variety of energy plans to select from. The utility companies in the state are still required to maintain power lines that deliver electricity to homes and businesses.
The city of Columbia has a population of just over 100,000 people and is located 30 miles north of Washington DC. Energy prices tend to fluctuate throughout the year. As of 2021, Industrial users pay an average of eight cents per kWh, while residential rates are above 12 cents per kWh. Locking in a fixed rate can help protect residential and commercial customers from price fluctuations often associated with the energy market.
Utility Companies in Columbia
If you’re planning on moving to Columbia, then you will need to set up an electricity account through Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE). BGE is the main utility company in the city that delivers power to homes and businesses. BGE customers that change electric suppliers will still receive one electric bill from the utility company that will incorporate both the delivery and supply charge. The delivery charge represents the regulated section of the electric bill so consumers will not be able to change utility companies for this charge.
Columbia Power Outage
If you recently switched electric suppliers and the lights go out, then contact the utility company. BGE will be responsible for resolving all power outages within its service area. Most power outages can be detected and restored moments after they occur. However, outages should still be reported to the utility company.
- BGE Power Outage Number: 1-877-778-2222
Columbia Price to Compare
BGE is required to be the supplier of last resort to customers that do not switch to another electric supplier. The default rate BGE provides for supply services is known as the price to compare. This rate can change throughout the year and is often not competitive. Consumers wanting to lock in a lower rate can use the price to compare to determine energy savings. If an electric supplier is offering a supply rate lower than the price to compare, then the consumer will be saving by switching to the new supplier.
Columbia Energy Deregulation
The Maryland Public Service Commission deregulated the electricity market in 1999 with the passage of the Electric Customer Choice and Competition Act. Before energy choice, the utility companies controlled all aspects of the energy market including generation, transmission, and delivery. If a consumer was unhappy with the electric rate, there was nothing they could do to change it. Thanks to energy choice, consumers can now shop for a cheaper electric rate and change electric suppliers.
Renewable Energy in Maryland
Maryland has implemented Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) to help increase the percentage of renewable energy sold in the state. The RPS is a set of regulations put on energy suppliers that require a set percentage of electricity sold in the state to come from renewable energy sources. This has helped create an artificial market for renewable power generation. Hydropower, solar, and wind account for the largest power generation from renewable energy sources in the state making up about 50%, 33%, and 12%, respectively, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The Process of Switching Electric Suppliers
Residential and commercial energy consumers in Columbia will not notice a change in the quality of service after changing energy suppliers. Baltimore Gas and Electric is responsible for overseeing the switch and will make sure the lights stay on during the process. The consumer will continue to receive one electric bill from BGE that will incorporate the new supply rate charged by the electric supplier. Once the term expires, unless the consumer takes action, they will continue to be charged a variable rate by the electric supplier. Consumers that cancel the agreement will automatically be switched back to BGE.