Vol75-02 February 2025

Mark your calendars

Support your SMECO linemen at the 2025 Gaff-n-Go Rodeo

Linemen compete in events that test their agility, skill, and safe work practices—talents vital to the work they perform daily. This is a wonderful opportunity to see the skill, strength, and respect for electricity it takes to be a utility lineman.

Generator safety tips

Outages caused by winter storms prompt many families to consider the purchase of a generator to prepare for the possibility of future power outages. Before using a generator, make sure you pick the right generator for you and know how to use it properly for the safety of electric line workers and your family. 

Generator safety

EmPOWER Maryland can help you save on your bill

The EmPOWER Maryland charge funds programs that can help you reduce your energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and save you money. Since the inception of the EmPOWER Maryland program in 2008, the programs have saved $14.5 billion on installed measures at a cost of $4.1 billion. In addition to new program costs, this charge includes paying off the uncollected costs that were accrued over time by programs required by the EmPOWER statute and authorized by the Maryland Public Service Commission. In accordance with House Bill 864 the uncollected amounts will be fully paid by the end of 2032.

For more information, including how to participate in these valuable programs, go to smeco.coop/save.

Scholarship applications are due April 1

Completed scholarship application packages are due by April 1, 2025.
Learn more about the SMECO scholarships at smeco.coop/scholarships.

Energy saving tip of the month

If you have a home office, look for opportunities to save energy in your workspace. Use ENERGY STAR^®-rated equipment, which consumes up to 50% less energy than standard models.

Source: energy.gov

How to read your SMECO bill

Whether you receive a physical bill or access it through Account Manager, you are able to review the charges on the bill.

The breakdown of the three main portions are itemized each month:

1. Standard Offer Service

2. Distribution Service

3. Regulatory, State, and Local Taxes

Learn more at smeco.coop/about-the-bill.

Standard Offer Service rate tracker

Total residential Standard Offer Service (SOS) rate for January: $0.090451 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

• Winter Residential Energy Charge: $0.0854 per kWh
• January Residential Power Cost Adjustment (PCA): $0.005051 per kWh 

SMECO’s PCA for January was 5.87 percent of the current average annual base energy.

SOS rate tracker