Baltimore, Maryland Commercial Natural Gas

Baltimore Commercial Natural Gas: Mid-Atlantic Business Hub

Baltimore—Maryland's largest city and the economic engine of Central Maryland—presents significant natural gas procurement opportunities for businesses. From the Inner Harbor's hospitality sector to the port's industrial operations, from Johns Hopkins to manufacturing, Baltimore's commercial natural gas demand is substantial.

Maryland's deregulated natural gas market means Baltimore businesses can choose their supplier and optimize costs through strategic procurement.

How Natural Gas Works in Baltimore

BGE Service

Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) provides natural gas delivery throughout Baltimore City and surrounding counties:

• Pipeline infrastructure: Owns local distribution network
• Meter services: Records your usage
• Emergency response: Gas emergencies (800-685-0123)
• Billing: Bills for delivery and supply charges

BGE is part of Exelon, serving over 680,000 natural gas customers.

Maryland Energy Choice

The Maryland Public Service Commission regulates natural gas choice:

• Multiple licensed suppliers compete
• Regulated for consumer protection
• Seamless switching process
• BGE continues delivery regardless of supplier

Service Structure

Component	Provider	Competitive?
Gas delivery	BGE	No—regulated
Gas supply	BGE or alternative supplier	Yes
Meter reading	BGE	No
Billing	BGE	Consolidated

Cost Reduction Strategies for Baltimore

1. Compare Alternative Suppliers

Baltimore's large commercial market attracts supplier competition:

Factor	What to Evaluate
Per-therm rate	Base commodity cost
Rate type	Fixed, variable, or index
Contract term	Month-to-month to 36 months
Monthly fees	Additional charges
Exit terms	Early termination costs

Maryland maintains a supplier list for licensed providers.

2. Leverage Your Volume

Baltimore commercial users can negotiate based on usage:

• Under 10,000 therms: Standard commercial rates
• 10,000-50,000 therms: Custom quotes available
• Over 50,000 therms: Negotiate directly
• Large industrial: Transportation options

Healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing should always request custom pricing.

3. Strategic Timing

Natural gas prices fluctuate. Monitor EIA data:

Favorable periods:

• Late spring and summer
• After mild winters
• High storage levels

Higher cost periods:

• Peak winter heating
• Extreme cold events
• Supply disruptions

Baltimore's Mid-Atlantic climate has moderate but significant heating needs.

4. Multi-Location Aggregation

Baltimore businesses with multiple facilities benefit from:

• All Baltimore locations combined
• Central Maryland operations
• Maryland statewide coordination
• Regional Mid-Atlantic aggregation

Combined volume improves negotiating leverage.

Industries We Serve in Baltimore

Healthcare

Baltimore is a major healthcare hub:

• Johns Hopkins Medicine - World-renowned health system
• University of Maryland Medical Center - Academic medicine
• MedStar Health - Regional system
• Multi-facility coordination

Healthcare represents significant, consistent natural gas demand.

See: Healthcare Natural Gas Solutions

Port & Logistics

The Port of Baltimore drives significant energy demand:

• Port facilities
• Warehouse heating
• Distribution centers
• Cold storage operations

Explore: Warehouse Natural Gas Solutions

Hospitality & Tourism

Inner Harbor and downtown hospitality:

• Hotel operations
• Restaurant commercial kitchens
• Convention center support
• Event venues

See: Restaurant Natural Gas Solutions

Higher Education

Universities and colleges throughout Baltimore:

• Johns Hopkins University
• University of Maryland, Baltimore
• Loyola University Maryland
• Campus-wide procurement

Manufacturing

Baltimore's remaining manufacturing base:

• Food processing
• Industrial operations
• Process heating needs
• Volume-based negotiations

Related: Manufacturing Natural Gas Solutions

Government & Institutional

Federal, state, and local government facilities:

• Government buildings
• Institutional facilities
• Long-term planning
• Budget-aligned procurement

Baltimore Market Specifics

Mid-Atlantic Climate

Baltimore's climate creates moderate heating demand:

• Average January temperature: 34°F
• Heating degree days: ~4,700 annually
• Moderate winters: Less extreme than northern cities
• Still significant costs: Worth optimizing

Port City Dynamics

Baltimore's port creates unique energy considerations:

• Large industrial users
• Warehouse concentration
• Logistics infrastructure
• International commerce

Compare Maryland Cities

Coordinate across Maryland locations:

• Columbia - BGE territory
• Silver Spring - Washington Gas
• Bethesda - Washington Gas
• Germantown - Washington Gas
• Maryland statewide

Important: Central Maryland (Baltimore) uses BGE; suburban Washington DC uses Washington Gas.

Understanding Your Baltimore Gas Bill

Bill Components

Your BGE bill includes:

1. Delivery Charges (BGE)

• Customer charge (fixed monthly)
• Distribution charge (per therm)
• Infrastructure charges
• Taxes and fees

2. Supply Charges

• Gas cost (per therm)
• From BGE or alternative supplier
• Shopping here creates savings

Rate Schedules

BGE commercial rate schedules:

Schedule	Description
Schedule C	Small Commercial
Schedule D	Large Commercial
Schedule IS	Interruptible Service

Delivery charges apply regardless of supplier choice.

Contract Strategies for Baltimore

Fixed Rate Contracts

Best for:

• Budget-focused organizations
• Healthcare facilities
• Risk-averse businesses
• Long-term planning

Standard terms:

• 12, 24, or 36 months
• Locked per-therm rate
• Early termination fees apply

Variable/Index Rates

Consider when:

• Flexible budgets
• Market monitoring capability
• Short-term needs
• Risk tolerance

Characteristics:

• Monthly price changes
• Market exposure
• No long-term commitment

Mid-Atlantic Recommendations

Baltimore's moderate climate means:

• Flexible rate structure options
• Less extreme winter risk than northern cities
• Both fixed and variable can work
• Consider business-specific needs

Learn more: Understanding Natural Gas Deregulation

Energy Efficiency in Baltimore

BGE Programs

BGE offers commercial efficiency programs:

• Equipment rebates
• Custom project incentives
• Energy assessments
• Technical assistance

Visit BGE Business for current programs.

EmPOWER Maryland

Maryland's EmPOWER program provides additional incentives:

• State-level efficiency programs
• Utility rebates
• Commercial building incentives
• Technical resources

Get Your Free Baltimore Analysis

Natural Gas Advisors helps Baltimore businesses optimize natural gas costs:

1. Bill Analysis: Review your current BGE bills
2. Supplier Comparison: Compare licensed alternatives
3. Contract Review: Evaluate terms and opportunities
4. Negotiation Support: Secure competitive rates
5. Ongoing Management: Monitor renewals and market

No cost to businesses—suppliers compensate us directly.

Whether you're a healthcare system, a port operation, a hospitality business, or any Baltimore enterprise, Maryland's deregulated market offers savings opportunities.

Baltimore has been a center of commerce since colonial times. Apply that commercial heritage to your energy procurement. Contact Natural Gas Advisors today for your complimentary Baltimore energy analysis.