Marylanders Support Energy Choice: Our Legislators Should Too 

Voters across the state have spoken – they want energy choice. A recently released poll of Maryland voters shows strong support for energy choice. According to the statewide poll, conducted by DC-based Normington, Petts & Associates, 79 percent of Maryland consumers support the current law allowing them to purchase their electricity supply from a licensed electricity supplier.   

After learning about reasons for maintaining a competitive market, more than 82% of Marylanders favor a competitive market. Maryland voters see a range of reasons for keeping energy choice. More than 87% of Marylanders want the freedom to choose an energy provider and shop around. 75% of Marylanders do not want a monopoly on electricity supply, and 72% of Marylanders do not want all utility companies to act like BGE, which wants to raise electricity bills by 30% a month in 2024. In addition, 73% of Marylanders favor choice because competition means lower prices.   

Given the strong support for energy choice among Maryland voters, recently introduced legislation, Electricity and Gas - Retail Supply - Regulation and Consumer Protection, sponsored by Senator Augustine (SB 1) and Delegate Crosby (HB 267), is baffling. The legislation would extend the reach of monopoly utility companies by eliminating retail choice. SB 1 and HB 267 clearly goes against the wishes of Maryland consumers – voters do not want to be told which insurance company or cell phone provider to use. Why should their electricity supplier be any different?  

Maryland voters, regardless of political party identification, oppose repealing the law allowing for electricity choice. 66% of Marylanders oppose repealing the current law. Repealing energy choice has strong opposition in Baltimore City, Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County.    

After hearing arguments for and against repealing energy choice, opposition to repealing the law increases from 66% to 70%, with 39% strongly opposing the repeal of energy choice. Voters over 60, voters with household incomes below $50,000, Black voters, and White voters show some of the highest increases in opposition to repeal.  

Further, 61% of Marylanders are less likely to vote for policymakers who vote to repeal the current law that gives consumers energy choice – a finding consistent among a majority of voters in every demographic group. Men, voters aged 45-59, White voters, and Democrats are the most likely to say they would be less likely to support a Maryland legislator who voted to repeal energy choice after hearing arguments on the issue.  

The proposed legislation purports to protect consumers. It does not. SB 1/HB 276 will effectively take choice away from consumers. It will further entrench the monopoly utilities, and force Maryland consumers to pay whatever the monopolies charge for their one-size-fits- all utility monopoly product. Do not allow SB 1 and HB 276 to become law, keep your choice and your voice. Tell your legislator to vote NO on SB 1 and HB 276.  

Join the Movement to Choose Who You Use!