EA and your utility

January 28, 2011

It's a bit funny, and yet kind of sad at the same time.

When we're out and about, describing how we can lower electricity rates and fix natural-gas rates for both residential and commercial bills, a lot of people say:

Oh, good! We can now get rid of Pepco / BGE / (insert name of hated utility here)!


That sentiment is especially felt in the aftermath of bad storms; like our most current one this week, when hundreds of thousands of people lose power and really trash-talk the utilities.Well ... we don't actually "take over" for Pepco, BGE, and so on. Here's why:

Certain states have deregulated the energy markets, which means the supply of electricity and natural gas is now open to competition in those states. There's a difference, though, between "supply" and "distribution" (also called "delivery").

It doesn't matter if you live in a regulated or deregulated state: The utilities still distribute/deliver your energy. With electricity, for example, the utility will always take the power off of the grid and use its power lines, substations, etc., to deliver the energy to your house or place of business.

That's a bit of an oversimplification of the actual distribution process, but that is in essence why we don't "take over" for the Pepcos of the world. The utilities will always deliver energy supplies to your home or business.

Another way to show what we do and don't cover is on an actual bill. Here's a document (.pdf) we use that describes the areas of the bill we do and don't affect. While the bill shown is a residential bill, the same ideas apply to commercial bills, too.

Our specific example is of a Pepco bill, which is split into three sections: Distribution, Generation and Transmission. Because of deregulation in the states we serve (see below for details), we can lower your rates in the Generation and Transmission sections.

The Distribution section, though, is where and how Pepco (and other utilities) pay for maintaining lines, taking your customer service calls, and fixing lines during power outages. Because EA is not an actual utility, we'll never touch that part of the bill.

Other utilities—BGE, for example—only have two sections ... usually called something like Supply and Distribution. The Supply section essentially combines the Generation and Transmission sections into one.

If you take one thing away from this post, remember that there's always an area of the bill that we do not touch, because the utilities need to pay for the services they provide.

Electric Advisors: Lowering electricity & natural gas rates for residential customers in Maryland, DC and Pennsylvania (electricity only in Delaware; gas only in Virginia). Customers of BGE, Pepco, Washington Gas, Allegheny, Delmarva Power and PPL can lower their rates … today!

EA's currently serves commercial customers in DC, Maryland and Pennsylvania, with more deregulated states on the way.

One Last Round: Why the Purple Tee Classic Matters to Me

By Russell Lacey • August 31, 2026
Every golfer has a round they remember. It might be a personal best, a long putt that somehow found the cup, or a perfect drive down the middle of the fairway. For me, the most meaningful round has less to do with my score and more to do with the people gathered around the first tee. That round is the Purple Tee Classic. On Thursday, September 17, 2026 , Metro Bethesda Rotary will host the 20th Annual Purple Tee Classic at Whiskey Creek , with a 10:00 a.m. shotgun start. This will be my third year leading the tournament, and my final year in that leadership role. That makes this year especially meaningful to me. More Than a Golf Tournament The Purple Tee Classic is a day of golf, but it is really about much more than a day on the course. It brings together business owners, community members, Rotarians, friends, families, veterans, and first responders around a shared purpose. The fundraiser supports veterans and first responders, people who have served, protected, and supported our communities in ways most of us will never fully understand. Golf gives us the setting. Service gives the day its meaning. That is what I value most about Rotary. The organization creates opportunities for people to put relationships, resources, and time to work for something larger than themselves. The Rotary principle of “Service Above Self” is not just a phrase. It is something we are asked to live out by showing up, contributing, and following through. The Purple Tee Classic is one of the clearest examples of that principle in action. Why This Final Year Matters Leading a tournament like this takes more than setting a tee time and asking people to come out and play. It takes planning, coordination, communication, fundraising, and a team willing to handle the many details most participants will never see. That is one of the biggest things I want to say clearly this year: this event is absolutely a team effort. The Metro Bethesda Rotary members involved in this committee do a tremendous amount behind the scenes. They help plan, coordinate, communicate, recruit sponsors and players, and keep things moving in all the ways that make an event like this possible. A lot of that work is not flashy. It is steady, thoughtful, behind-the-scenes effort that helps turn a good idea into a real event that serves real people. I have been fortunate to work alongside fellow Rotary members who care deeply about Rotary’s mission and the causes the tournament supports. I am genuinely grateful for their time, commitment, and willingness to do the work that needs to get done. Events like this do not come together because of one person. They come together because a group of committed people keeps showing up and doing their part. It also takes the support of a broader community. Over the past three years, I have seen how a simple invitation, to play a round of golf or contribute an auction item, can become part of a much larger effort. As I prepare for my final year leading the Purple Tee, I am thinking less about the fact that my leadership role is ending and more about what I hope continues. I hope the tournament continues to bring people together. I hope new sponsors and players discover the value of supporting a community event with a clear purpose. And I hope every participant leaves Whiskey Creek remembering that the best part of the day was never just the golf. It was the difference we helped make by showing up. How You Can Help There are several ways to support this milestone event: Become a tournament sponsor. Help strengthen the event while putting your organization in front of an engaged local community. Register a foursome . Bring colleagues, friends, clients, or family members for a meaningful day on the course. Sponsor a veteran or first responder. Help someone enjoy a round of golf and participate in the Purple Tee experience. Donate an item or experience. Raffle and auction contributions add energy to the day and help expand the event’s fundraising potential. Every form of participation matters. Not everyone can sponsor at the same level, and not everyone plays golf. But everyone can consider whether they, or someone they know, might be able to help.  Key Takeaways The 20th Annual Purple Tee Classic will take place at Whiskey Creek on September 17, 2026. This is my third year leading the tournament and my final year in that leadership role. The fundraiser supports veterans and first responders. Sponsors, foursomes, individual player support, and donated auction or raffle items are all important. Rotary has given me the opportunity to serve with people who care about their community and are willing to turn good intentions into action. I am grateful for that opportunity, grateful for the people I get to work alongside, and determined to make this final year leading the Purple Tee Classic a memorable one. If you would like to support the event, please visit purpletee.fundraiser.bid . You can also message me directly if you are interested or know someone who may want to help. One last round in this leadership role. One more opportunity to bring people together. And one more chance to support the veterans and first responders who deserve our gratitude.
Aerial view of Baltimore's Inner Harbor with buildings, boats, and a wide body of water reflecting the cityscape.

Energy Incentives Are Available, But Do You Know Where To Look?

By Andrew Sandglass • July 9, 2026
Your guide to Energy Incentives for Maryland is here

Why Everyone Is Talking About Utility Bill Audits (And You Should Too)

By Russell Lacey • June 24, 2026
For most business owners, the monthly utility bill is just another line item to be paid and filed away. You glance at the total, ensure it isn't astronomically higher than last month, and move on. But in 2026, with energy markets facing unprecedented volatility and complex new tariff structures, that "glance and pay" strategy is costing American businesses billions in overpayments. The good news? You don’t have to just accept these costs as the price of doing business. Everyone is talking about utility bill audits because they have transitioned from a "nice-to-have" occasional check to a critical financial strategy. At Electric Advisors, Inc., we’ve seen firsthand how a meticulous review of historical invoices can uncover significant refunds and permanent rate reductions.