Maryland customers have the power to choose the source of their energy.

Prior to the Electric Customer Choice and Competition Act of 1999, companies provided energy based on predetermined territories. But as a result of deregulation, consumers can pick the company most suitable for their energy needs and the type of energy, such as wind or solar power.

Potomac Electric Power Co. (Pepco), the Washington, D.C. region’s largest electric company, provides service to 788,000 residential and commercial customers in the D.C. area. Visit www.pepco.com.

Baltimore Gas & Electric (BG&E) provides service in Prince George’s County. Visit www.bge.com.

EmPOWER Maryland is an initiative aimed to reduce energy consumption in the state by 15 percent by the year 2015. Energy companies have laid out various programs to help households meet this goal.

Pepco’s Home Energy Savings Program offers incentives and rebates for installation. It also provides tips for improving your home’s energy efficiency, comfort and safety on its website.

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative provides electric service to the southern portion of Prince George’s County. As part of the EmPOWER Maryland Initiative, SMECO offers several conservation programs to help customer-members save energy. Visit www.smeco.coop.

Verizon provides local telephone service in the Washington region. It also provides packages that include Internet and cable. Visit www.verizon.com.

Comcast offers Xfinity, a program that provides phone, Internet and cable services all in one.

Water and sewer service in the county is provided by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.

To search a complete list by area, visit:
http://webapp.psc.state.md.us/intranet/supplierinfo/electricsupplier_new.cfm