DC vs Maryland vs Virginia Electricity: Rates and Suppliers Compared (2026)
Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia share borders, share commuters, and share a regional electricity grid (PJM Interconnection) — but their electricity markets work very differently. If you’re moving across the DMV, comparing electric bills with friends in another jurisdiction, or trying to figure out which side of the river offers the best deal, this side-by-side comparison breaks down rates, supplier choice, and the practical math of switching in 2026.
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Quick Comparison: DC vs Maryland vs Virginia
| Feature | Washington DC | Maryland | Virginia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deregulated? | Yes (fully) | Yes (fully) | Partially (most residents cannot switch) |
| Default Utility | Pepco | BGE, Pepco, Delmarva, Potomac Edison, SMECO | Dominion Energy, Appalachian Power |
| Default Supply Rate (2026) | ~12.1¢/kWh | ~10.9–13.2¢/kWh (varies by utility) | ~13.8¢/kWh (Dominion all-in) |
| Best Competitive Fixed Rate | ~9.4¢/kWh (12-mo) | ~9.1¢/kWh (12-mo) | N/A for most residents |
| Renewable Opt-In | Yes | Yes | Yes (only path for most residents) |
| Net Metering for Solar | Yes (full retail credit) | Yes (full retail credit, capped) | Yes (up to 25 kW residential) |
Washington DC: Smallest Market, Real Savings
DC is the smallest of the three jurisdictions but operates a fully deregulated electricity market. Pepco is the regulated wires utility, but residents can choose any DC-licensed Retail Electric Supplier for the supply portion of their bill. As of 2026, Pepco’s Standard Offer Service (SOS) sits around 12.1¢/kWh; the best 12-month fixed competitive offers run as low as 9.4¢/kWh — a meaningful 22% supply-side savings.
Active DC suppliers in 2026 include Constellation, NRG, Direct Energy, CleanChoice Energy, and Inspire Clean Energy. The DC Public Service Commission’s EnergyChoiceDC.com portal lists every licensed supplier and their current public offer rates.
Maryland: Largest Market, Most Choice
Maryland is the largest deregulated electricity market in the DMV by a wide margin, and it has the most active competitive supplier presence. The state is served by five separate regulated utilities depending on geography:
- BGE — Baltimore Gas & Electric, serving Baltimore metro and central Maryland
- Pepco — Serving Prince George’s and Montgomery counties (DC suburbs)
- Delmarva Power — Serving the Eastern Shore
- Potomac Edison (FirstEnergy) — Serving western Maryland
- SMECO — Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative; member-owned, generally not deregulated for residential service
Standard Offer Service rates vary widely between utilities — BGE’s residential SOS is around 10.9¢/kWh in summer 2026, while Delmarva’s is closer to 13.2¢. Best 12-month competitive fixed rates have been as low as 9.1¢/kWh, with strong activity from Constellation, NRG, Direct Energy, Public Power, and Inspire.
Maryland law requires all competitive suppliers to publish standardized “Plan Information Documents” so customers can compare apples to apples — read these before signing up.
Virginia: Mostly Closed Market
Virginia is the outlier. Although it passed deregulation legislation in 1999, the state largely re-regulated in 2007. As of 2026, most Virginia residential customers cannot switch their default electricity supplier and must take service from Dominion Energy or Appalachian Power at the regulated tariff.
Virginia’s two practical exceptions:
- 100% renewable opt-in — Any Virginia customer can choose a competitive supplier offering 100% renewable energy. Active suppliers in this niche include Arcadia Power, Inspire Clean Energy, and CleanChoice Energy.
- Large commercial — Customers with peak demand above 5 MW (or aggregated loads above 5 MW) can shop in the full competitive market.
For most Virginia homeowners, the path to lower bills runs through time-of-use rates (Dominion Schedule 1T), efficiency rebates, and rooftop solar — not supplier switching.
Apples-to-Apples: Where Do You Save the Most?
If you’re a typical 1,000 kWh/month household:
- DC residents who switch from Pepco SOS (12.1¢) to a competitive 9.4¢ fixed rate save about $27/month, or $324/year.
- Maryland BGE residents who switch from SOS (10.9¢) to a 9.1¢ competitive rate save about $18/month, or $216/year.
- Maryland Delmarva residents have the largest swing — switching from a 13.2¢ SOS to a 9.5¢ competitive rate saves about $37/month, or $444/year.
- Virginia Dominion customers generally cannot switch supply for cost savings. Time-of-use rate optimization can save 5–15% if you can shift load to off-peak hours.
Renewable Energy: Available in All Three
One area where all three jurisdictions converge: any resident of DC, Maryland, or Virginia can sign up for a 100% renewable energy supplier today. The premium runs 0.5–2¢/kWh above standard rates depending on the supplier. For a 1,000 kWh/month household, that’s $5–20/month for verified renewable supply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which DMV jurisdiction has the lowest electricity rates?
For shoppers willing to switch suppliers, Maryland (especially BGE and Pepco-MD territory) typically offers the lowest competitive rates in the DMV. For non-shoppers, Maryland’s BGE territory has the lowest default Standard Offer Service rate.
Why can’t Virginia residents switch electricity suppliers?
Virginia repealed most of its 1999 electric deregulation law in 2007, restoring Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power as default monopoly suppliers. Only large commercial customers and customers choosing 100% renewable supply can switch.
If I move from DC to Virginia, can I keep my electricity supplier?
No — you’ll need to enroll with Dominion (or APCo) under the regulated tariff. The only exception is if you continue with a renewable supplier that operates in both jurisdictions.
Are competitive electricity suppliers safe in DC and Maryland?
Yes. Both DC’s Public Service Commission and Maryland’s PSC license and regulate competitive suppliers. Service reliability stays with Pepco/BGE/Delmarva regardless of supplier choice — the wires utility doesn’t change.
Do I need to notify my utility when I switch suppliers?
No — your new supplier handles enrollment with the utility on your behalf. The change typically takes effect on your next meter read (1–2 billing cycles).
How does Maryland’s SMECO territory work for shopping?
SMECO is a member-owned cooperative and is not subject to Maryland’s deregulation law for residential customers. SMECO members cannot shop for competitive supply; service is provided exclusively by the cooperative.
Bottom Line: DMV Electricity in 2026
If you live in DC or Maryland, comparing competitive offers and switching can shave $200–450/year off your electric bill — at zero risk to service reliability. If you live in Virginia, switching for cost savings isn’t usually an option, but time-of-use rates, smart thermostat rebates, and rooftop solar can deliver meaningful savings on the regulated tariff.
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