June 12, 2010 BG&E Submits an Amended Smart Grid Proposal to Maryland PSCBaltimore Gas & Electric has resubmitted its Smart Grid metering proposal that was rejected three wee... more   June 14, 2010 Echelon and Convergys Want to Host Yours "Energy Happy Hours" Here is a story about two companies that are not well known to U.S. utilities -- but should be. They are i... more   June 14, 2010 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SMART GRID Every Smart Grid component —transformer, meter, air conditioner, power plant, electric car, solar panel, etc. —has a location on ... more   June 14, 2010 CREATING GREEN JOBS There are two states in the US where you can’t find self-service filling stations: New Jersey and Oregon. I can’t speak for Oregon because I’v... more		Q: What is Deregulation? A: Maryland's Public Service Commission approved deregulation settlements agreement in November 1999, following months of intense negotiations among a host of interested parties. These parties worked together to ensure customer Choice is fair for everyone and provides the options you wanted. Because deregulation is complex, changing from a regulated electric system to a fully competitive market requires a transition period. For customers, this means ensuring continued reliability, price stability, and ease in purchasing electricity. The settlement provided a smooth transition to customer Choice by freezing certain rates during the transition period. For example, BGE's electric distribution rates were frozen for a four-year period - through June 30, 2004 - for business and non-residential customers. BGE is recovering transition costs through a competitive transition charge (CTC). The CTC, approved by the Public Service Commission, provides for recovery of investments in certain assets, such as power plants, that were made to ensure customers would have a reliable and adequate supply of electricity. The CTC is charged to all customers, regardless of who supplies their electricity. This is not a new charge. Residential customers will pay this charge for six years. Business and non-residential customers pay over a 1- to 6-year period, through 2006, depending on the option selected. The benefit to customers is that the competitive transition charge will be completely eliminated after a period of time. What exactly is Customer Choice? In the past, electric utilities such as BGE were tightly regulated by state laws. You could buy power only from your local utility and only at the price set by the state's Public Service Commission (PSC). Now a number of states - including Maryland - have changed the laws and regulations that govern the electric industry. These changes are part of deregulation. This doesn't mean there will be no regulation. It means competition and customer choice will occur on the electric supply side of the industry. With deregulation, a number of electric suppliers are allowed to compete for your business. Who benefits and how Customer choice benefits customers and suppliers alike. It gives customers the opportunity to shop for electric supply from among a number of competing companies. By comparing the different rates and offers available, you can choose the electricity supplier that's best for you. Customer choice benefits suppliers because it allows them to compete in a retail electric market previously limited to utilities. In addition, it gives suppliers an opportunity to market new products, services, and even sources of energy. And these new products and services can benefit customers. Customer choice changes at a glance Here's a simple summary of how customer choice in electric supply will affect you. What's New: Increased competition may bring more pricing and service options. You may continue to be billed by your local utility, the supplier, or both. Your bills show more details about each aspect of your electric service. What Stays the Same: Your power lines and service connections remain the same, and local utility continues to maintain them. Your local utility will continue to deliver electricity safely and reliably to your home or business through the local distribution network. To report an emergency - such as downed wires or a power outage - you should still call local utility company.