Measurements of a customer’s electricity usage over a period of time that show how much and when a customer uses electricity. Load profiles can be used by retail electricity suppliers, electric utilities, and transmission system operators to forecast electricity supply requirements and to determine the cost of serving a customer.

A device used to record or communicate actual electric use during minutes, hours, days or weeks.  This information is needed for time-of-day, on-peak/off-peak and other specialized billing rates.  May also be referred to as a Smart Meter.

A company that is controlled by another or has the same owner as another company.

An entity or an individual, licensed by the PSC, which acts on behalf of a customer (or group of customers) to purchase electricity in bulk to increase customers’ buying power.

Electricity generated using resources that are replaced naturally. Renewable energy may include fuels and technologies such as solar photovoltaic energy, solar thermal energy, wind power, low head hydropower, geothermal energy, and biomass energy. Alternative energy sources include landfill- and mine-based methane gas, and energy from waste.

The amount of electricity needed to meet minimum demand based on reasonable expectations of customer requirements at any point in time.

An entity or individual licensed by the PSC that acts as an agent or intermediary in the sale and purchase of electricity but never owns the electricity.

A billing option offered by utilities and many retail electricity suppliers that allows a person to pay a fixed amount each month. Budget billing averages bills out over 12 months, so each monthly bill will be the same amount until the total bill is paid. The company may adjust the bill periodically each year, up or down, depending on the customer’ [..]

The Public Service Commission (PSC) of Maryland. The state regulatory agency that provides oversight, policy guidance, and direction to electric companies and retail electricity suppliers. The PSC licenses retail electricity suppliers but does not regulate the products, services, or prices that retail electricity suppliers offer. Find more informat [..]

A customer’s assent to an agreement with an action communicated by a written document, electronic document, or voice recording.