Annapolis, MD –– Energy customers, suppliers and business leaders held a press conference at the State House today asking lawmakers to restore competition to Maryland’s energy market. Customers who once had the ability to shop for lower rates with energy suppliers shared frustrations about legislation that has trapped consumers by forcing them to enroll with their local utility company and accept their utility’s rates and products.
At issue is legislation passed last year –– Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) –– that aimed to increase consumer protections but has instead eliminated customer choice in Maryland. Competitive energy offers went from nearly 300 in January 2024 to zero at the start of 2025 –– at a time when customers were complaining about skyrocketing utility rates. Customers who want to shop for better rates can’t. And the thousands of customers across the state who are currently benefiting from lower cost and cleaner energy options through the competitive energy marketplace are unable to renew their plans.
The variety in voices at Tuesday’s press conference tells a story of frustration throughout Maryland communities.
“For years, I chose to power my home with clean energy and chose my supplier based on their renewable energy plan,” said Tobias Hurwitz, a Towson resident. “Now I’m being forced onto a utility plan that doesn’t fit my needs –– and it costs more than what my former supplier was charging.”
“Energy choice has allowed me to be able to sign two year contracts with Constellation Energy to lock in lower energy rates than BGE,” shared Craig Williams of Parkville. “Removing energy choice will allow companies like BGE to monopolize the energy market in Maryland and cause price hikes in energy rates. The state of Maryland should be doing what is best for its taxpayers. Not big corporations like BGE.”
“I really value the ability to choose my energy supplier because it lets me lock in longer-term rate plans,” said Richard Eschenbach of Kingsville, MD. “This way, I know exactly what I’ll be paying for electricity down the road, which is a huge relief. I recently renewed my electric supply contract, but if the legislature doesn’t act, I’ll have to go back to the default utility provider. It’s so important to keep this choice available for all of us.”
“Marylanders no longer have energy choices –– they are being held captive by their utility companies and forced to accept energy products and wallet-busting rates they don’t want and can’t afford,” said Chris Ercoli, president and CEO of the Retail Energy Advancement League. “When Senate Bill 1 was introduced, it was promised to constituents as a consumer protection bill. The only thing it’s protecting is utility companies who no longer have to compete for the business of customers –– Maryland residents now trapped in a monopoly stranglehold. As the General Assembly seeks ways to address energy affordability, it must correct Senate Bill 1 and jumpstart the competitive energy market to support constituents struggling with utility bills.”
“With energy prices at their highest level in years, Maryland families should have more options to manage costs – not fewer,” said David Dardis, executive vice president and chief legal and policy officer for Constellation, which is headquartered in Baltimore and is one of the state’s competitive energy suppliers. “But last year’s legislation has left households with no choice but to pay high utility rates, eliminating the ability to lock in price stability, choose cleaner energy or find a plan that meets their needs. Tens of thousands of Constellation customers are saving today with a fixed-price energy plan. Without action from the legislature, nearly 90 percent of them will be returned to higher utility rates by year end.”
“SB 1 has had a devastating impact on small businesses like mine,” said Frank Orcel, a partner with Protocall Communications, a sales and marketing firm based in Hanover, Md., that supports Constellation’s competitive energy supply business. “So far this year, we have turned down thousands of calls from Maryland customers who want to shop for their energy from Constellation. Serving those customers supports more than 100 jobs at Protocall. Those jobs are now at risk because of this bill. We urge lawmakers to consider the severe consequences of this legislation and to take action to restore energy choice for Maryland families and businesses.”
“Ridge Printing employs dozens of Marylanders, whose livelihoods are now at risk due to SB 1,” said M. Paul Gyr III, owner of Ridge Printing Corp. “Ridge Printing has been supporting Constellation for more than 15 years with marketing and other services, so the inability to continue serving Marylanders who shop for energy puts a significant stress on our business.”
In January 2024, nearly 303,000 energy users were enrolled with an electric supplier. By December, 275,300 electric customers were enrolled. Customers continue to be returned to their utility company for supply service as a result of SB 1. From December to February 2025, 70,500 electric customers were returned to their utility –– 26 percent of customers enrolled with electric suppliers. Tens of thousands of customers enrolled with gas suppliers are also being returned to their local utility. Nearly all customers enrolled with a supplier for gas or electric will be returned to their utility by the end of the year.
Retail energy advocates are urging the state legislature to work with stakeholders in correcting SB 1 before the end of session to help their constituents begin shopping for more affordable energy options again.
Photos of the event can be downloaded here.
