Utility Providers in Baltimore, OH

For BGE (Gas/Electric), you should provide at least 3 business days’ notice, while internet providers typically require 1–2 weeks to schedule a technician or mail a self-install kit.

Most providers require a government-issued ID, your Social Security Number (for credit checks), and your new service address; some may also ask for a lease agreement or settlement statement for proof of occupancy.

No, you can stay with BGE for “Standard Offer Service” (SOS), but Maryland’s “Electric Choice” program allows you to shop for competitive rates or 100% renewable energy plans from licensed suppliers.

The SOS is the default price BGE charges for the electricity or gas itself; if you don’t choose a third-party supplier, BGE buys the energy for you and passes the cost through without a markup.

Report power outages at 1-877-778-2222 and immediately report any smell of gas or suspected gas leaks to BGE at 1-877-778-7798.

Water accounts are tied to the property deed and usually transfer automatically during the recordation process, but this can take several weeks; check with the DPW if it hasn’t updated after your first month.

In Baltimore City, water bills are issued to the property owner, so tenants generally cannot put the account in their name unless the landlord specifically requests a “tenant duplicate” bill through the DPW.

The city offers the Water4All program, which provides financial assistance and credits to low-to-moderate-income residents based on a percentage of their annual household income.

Baltimore City residents can schedule one free bulk pickup per month (up to three items) by calling 311 or using the Baltimore 311 app at least three days in advance.

You can use any container for recycling as long as it is clearly marked, but you must not use plastic bags; items should be placed loose in the bin to avoid being rejected by collection crews.

The city provides one heavy-duty “Municipal Trash Can” to each household; if your new home is missing one, you can request a replacement or repair through the 311 system.

While Xfinity and Verizon Fios are the primary providers, availability varies by street; you should use an address-lookup tool on their websites to see if fiber-optic (Fios) is available at your exact location.

Many providers participate in programs like “Internet Essentials” (Comcast) or “Forward” (Verizon) for households that qualify for federal assistance programs like SNAP or Medicaid.

During freezing winter conditions or heavy snows, DPW temporarily suspends rear-alley trash and recycling collection because ice makes the narrow historic alleys too dangerous for large trucks. When this winter shift is declared, residents are legally required to drag their heavy green city-issued trash cans out of the back alley and place them on the front sidewalk or at the very end of the street block, or their trash will be bypassed.

This is the Maryland Bay Restoration Fee, a flat, state-mandated charge of $5.00 per month automatically appended to every water statement. The revenue collected from this fee goes directly into a dedicated state fund used to upgrade major wastewater treatment plants discharging into the Chesapeake Bay, helping to mitigate algae blooms and protect regional marine ecosystems.

Comcast historically held a virtual monopoly on wired broadband in Baltimore due to late municipal franchising. While Verizon Fios fiber has expanded to roughly 51 percent of the city, many historic blocks and pre-war brick rowhouses do not have physical fiber-optic drops routed to the property. If you are moving into an older neighborhood, you may be restricted to Xfinity cable or forced to look at 5G home internet or local fixed wireless providers like Believe Wireless.