Poll Reveals Marylanders Favor Competition Over a Return to Monopoly Service

Maryland voters overwhelmingly believe that competition is the best way to control the cost of electricity, and they want much more information about the electricity choices they have. That’s according to a poll conducted by Opinion Works and supported by the COMPETE Coalition along with a broader group of energy consumers.

The survey of registered Maryland voters found that the electorate favored competition over a return to monopoly service as a better way to control the cost of electricity by two-to-one.  An astounding 83 percent of voters favor the existing market competition that allows them to choose their electricity provider.

And voters want even more competition: Given the choice of returning to monopoly service, introducing more competition into the market, or leaving things the way they are today, a four-to-one majority chose greater competition over re-regulation.

But there is a lot of work to be done.  A substantial number of Maryland voters—nearly one-half—know they have an option of shopping for electricity. An overwhelming 88 percent think the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) should be more proactive in giving consumers more information about electricity choices.

The poll results couldn’t be more clear: Marylanders are hungry for a more competitive environment and for more information about their choices.

On February 18^th, I was pleased to introduce Senator Catherine Pugh and Delegate Dereck Davis at a press conference in Annapolis convened by Marylanders for Competitive Electricity Choice.   The legislators were there to talk about the introduction of their legislation requiring the PSC to improve retail choice education efforts for Maryland consumers. Delegate Sue Hecht is the lead sponsor in the House on this important legislation. 

It is clear that the results of the Opinion Works poll makes this legislation all the more urgent.

We urge Maryland policymakers to follow the lead of Senator Pugh, Chairman Davis and Delegate Hecht.  Marylanders deserve to have the information they need to make informed choices as they struggle under severe economic stress and tight household budgets. “The good news is that competition does exist. The bad news, of course, is that few consumers are aware of that,” said WBAL TV’s David Collins. Watch his coverage here.

Joel Malina | February 19, 2010