We have all wondered where our energy comes from at some point. Yeah, we know our house is powered by BGE (if you’re in Maryland). We also know that they generate it in a power plant of some sort. But do we really know the methods they use? In this respect, most people don’t really know. The short and simple answer is that it varies between your energy supplier, which is the company that supplies your energy provider with your electricity. If your state is an energy deregulated one, then you are in luck because I’m going to list for you each company, their average cost per kiloWatt hour (kWh), and if they use green methods to produce their energy. This will help you make the appropriate choice when planning on switching electricity providers. Keep in mind the companies listed here are for Maryland and Illinois only!

The first state we’ll look at is Maryland, which has some quite impressive results:

1. BGE: BGE is most likely your energy provider and supplier, unless you’ve changed it purposefully. They use the straight forward green method of a power plant, but this is certainly not the greenest way to produce energy. BGE commonly uses other strategies such as solar energy, but it is not primarily “green”. Their average cost is $0.10474 per kWh. The majority of Maryland uses BGE and has never thought twice about switching energy suppliers; however, every other company has cheaper pricing for Baltimore City residents! Amazing, isn’t it?

2. ConEdison Solutions: ConEdison is a company that many people know, but most do not switch to them. Similar to BGE, their methods can be green but are generally not green. ConEd does have a lower cost per kWh of $0.829. However, the power plant they use may be use different methods depending on if you choose BGE or ConEd.

3. Castlebridge Energy Group: Castlebridge is the most attractive to loads of people due to their low pricing at $0.0815 per kWh for the first year. They have another option for 2 years at $0.0869 per kWh for Baltimore City residents. Either price is a much lower price than most of their competitors! The downfall to Castlebridge is that they do not have much emphasis on their energy being “green”, which could be why the prices are lower. For those of you who want to switch to a supplier that uses only green methods (wind energy, hydroelectric, solar, etc.), it’s worth investigating further if Castlebridge is your top choice.

4. Clean Currents: If you want a green supplier, then this is your choice. Clean Currents uses only wind power to supply you with energy at great rates. The current rate for Clean Currents is $0.990 per kWh. Clearly not the cheapest option, but BGE still takes the cake for most expensive.

5. Constellation: Constellation energy has some very reasonable options. For starters, they have renewable energy electricity plans. The pricing for Constellation in Baltimore City is $0.949 for 12 months, or $0.899 for 24 months. This option is one of the more popular ones because of the green options along with the cheaper pricing.

6. Spark Energy: Spark Energy does not advertise “green plans”, unfortunately. They purchase the energy from locations near you and find the cheapest and most reliable pricing, resulting in lower energy prices for you. Where that energy comes from may or may not have been via green methods. However, the costs are worth a look: $0.849 per kWh. Can’t argue with that!

The options for Pepco (), Delmarva Power (), and Potomac Edison () customers are the same, except you cannot switch to BGE or any other different utility company. Remember: your utility company stays the same regardless of your supplier! Don’t worry, Illinois, it’s time to take a look at your options:
If you live in Illinois, your utility company is ComEd regardless. But since you’re in the list of deregulated states, you can choose your energy supplier. “So what’re my options? Who are they?” I’m glad you asked…

1. ComEd: Comed’s prices are similar to that of ConEdison around $0.08324 per kWh. ComEd is by far the most expensive option in the state of Illinois. If you have not yet taken advantage of the energy deregulation in your state, I suggest you take a look at your following choices!

2. Spark Energy: Spark Energy is the same here as it is in Maryland in every way, except the pricing. Illinois actually has much cheaper prices than Maryland. The average cost is $0.0579 per kWh for 12 months, or $0.0697 per kWh for 6 months.

3. Energy Me: Energy Me explains their green energy process well. You can purchase your electricity from a renewable source using wind generators if you would like, while still keeping their low price of $0.570 per kWh for 12 months, or $0.589 per kWh for 24 months.

4. Champion Energy Services: Champion is the final choice out of Illinois’ limited possibilities, coming in at the lowest price in the state at $0.055 per kWh. Champion also takes pride in their 100% renewable energy plans for Illinois residents. All of their energy in these plans is generated entirely from wind turbines. If you are looking for cheap, green suppliers Champion Energy would fit your needs perfectly.

Many people are tired of high energy bills, if you want lower energy prices, or were wondering “Where does my energy come from?” then hopefully I’ve put you on the right path. There are many options, and this is just a brief overview, but if you want to know more about a company, you’ll have to do individual research on the companies in your area. If you decide you want to switch, you can make it easier by using a company that allows you to compare electricity rates.