Leveraging Gas Smart Meter Technology to Improve Energy Choice

摘要

Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) like many Gas and Electric Utilities in the U.S. offers customers competitive energy supply options through its Energy Choice Programs. Customers may choose a third party provider to supply their gas or electricity, while BGE remains responsible for delivering gas or electricity to customers via BGE's gas pipe or electric wires. Customers not electing a third party supplier will remain with BGE for their gas or electricity supply needs. Energy Choice suppliers, unlike BGE, are not subject to price regulation by the Maryland Public Service Commission, the administrative body that regulates public utility companies in Maryland. Suppliers operate in a competitive environment where they are able to offer a wide variety of gas and/or electricity commodity options. Options may include variable pricing where the gas or electricity cost is tied to an index that can change monthly; fixed term pricing for a year or more; "green" products such as solar or wind generated electricity; sign up incentives such as discounts, air miles, gift cards and affinity programs that provide discounts for seniors or veterans or monetary incentives for referring other customers. These options are not available within the utility regulated standard offer price framework for both gas and electricity.