Your utility is now called your electric company. This is the company you should call if the power goes out, just like you always have. It is still regulated by the Maryland Public Service Commission. Even if you choose a new electricity supplier, you should still call your electric company. This is the same company you have always called when the power goes out.
Electric choice is now available to most Maryland consumers.
However, the electric market takes time to develop. Standard offer service was put in place to allow time for the market to develop while giving consumers reduced rates. Some electric cooperatives will open to choice as early as 2001, and all customers of cooperatives will be able to choose a supplier by July 1, 2003. All electric cooperative utilities are required by law to bring choice to their customers by July 1, 2003. These later start dates give all cooperatives time to educate their customers about choice and allow the market to begin taking shape.