Examining Retail Electricity Practices in Maryland

Abstract

The deregulation of electricity markets has allowed third-party suppliers in 15 states and Washington, D.C to compete with the traditional regulated utilities in offering the supply of electricity. The introduction of third-party suppliers to electricity markets has unfortunately come with claims of unethical marketing practices, and questions as to whether commercial and industrial consumer classes enjoy benefits that residential consumers do not because of economies of scale. This Masters Project examines the third-party electric marketplace across customer classes in Maryland. Results from this examination mostly suggests that residential consumers pay more for electric supply from third-party suppliers than they do from their regulated utility. This project also highlights reports of deceitful marketing practices in the third-party retail electric marketplace for Maryland.