Enroll in the Chamber of Commerce Energy Purchasing Co-Op Programs:
The Howard County Chamber of Commerce developed an energy purchasing cooperative program in 2006 to help Chamber members purchase electricity in a deregulated market. The contracts provide long-term savings and budget stability.
The first group of Chamber members that signed contracts for service starting in 2006 are currently paying 16% less than if they had remained with BGE on the Standard Offer Service rate.
The Department of Energy estimates that electricity prices will go up 14% per year for the next five years. Chamber Co-op members are not impacted by the increases during the terms of their contracts which run through spring 2011.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE?
Chamber members with commercial/non-residential utility accounts located in Maryland are eligible to participate in the Commercial Energy Co-Op
Chamber members and their employees with residential utility accounts located in Maryland are eligible to participate in the Residential Energy Co-Op
HOW DOES THE CO-OP WORK?
Deregulation allows Maryland customers to either stay with BGE or PEPCO as their electricity supplier or to purchase electricity on a contract basis from a licensed supplier. Contract prices are established through a negotiated or competitive selection process, with prices set for a specified term.
The cooperative pools together the buying power of commercial customers to procure energy at the best available competitive market price. The program also saves individual Chamber members the time and expense of trying to choosing a supplier on their own. Members contract directly with the licensed supplier and receive the financial benefit of reduced electricity costs.
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Click here for Commercial Energy Co-Op
Click here for Residential Energy Co-Op
