
Choptank Electric Cooperative is a non-profit utility cooperative that distributes electricity to rural areas in the Eastern Shore region of Maryland. It was formed in 1938 after the Rural Electrification Act was passed, and its first electric distribution lines were energized in Caroline County in 1939. Choptank Electric Cooperative is owned by its members, who each have a vote in deciding the cooperative's board of directors. They serve over 52,000 members across nine counties in Maryland. Choptank Electric Cooperative is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative and a member of Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, a generation and transmission cooperative serving member distribution cooperatives in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. On the other hand, Baltimore Gas & Electric Company (BGE) is a separate entity, as indicated by its name and contact information listed separately from Choptank Electric Cooperative. Therefore, it can be assumed that Choptank Electric is not a division of BGE.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Organization | Choptank Electric is a nonprofit utility cooperative |
| Founding Date | 21 September 1938 |
| Headquarters | Denton, Maryland |
| Area Served | Rural areas in the Eastern Shore region of Maryland |
| Number of Members | Over 52,000 |
| Counties Served | Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester |
| Territory Covered | 70 by 140 miles |
| Distribution Lines | Approximately 6,200 miles |
| Ranking in Maryland | 11th largest energy company in 2001 |
| Parent Organization | Old Dominion Electric Cooperative |
| Wholesale Power Provider | Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) |
| Acquisition | St. Michaels Electric Utility in 2006 for $12.2 million |
| Contact Number | 1-877-892-0001 |
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What You'll Learn
- Choptank Electric Cooperative is a nonprofit utility cooperative
- It was founded in 1938 and is headquartered in Denton, Maryland
- Choptank Electric is owned by its members, who vote on the board of directors
- They serve over 52,000 members across nine counties in Maryland
- Choptank Electric is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative

Choptank Electric Cooperative is a nonprofit utility cooperative
The cooperative serves over 52,000 members across nine counties in Maryland, including Caroline, Cecil, and Dorchester. Its vast territory spans 70 by 140 miles and contains approximately 6,200 miles of distribution lines. In 2001, Choptank Electric Cooperative was recognised as the 11th largest energy company in Maryland.
Choptank Electric Cooperative is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative and a member of the Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, which serves Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. In 1976, Choptank joined the Old Dominion Electric Cooperative to secure lower costs for wholesale electricity. This partnership was further strengthened when Choptank acquired the St. Michaels Electric Utility in 2006, expanding its reach to serve an additional 4,000 customers in St. Michaels and the surrounding areas.
Choptank Electric Cooperative is committed to providing reliable electricity to its members and maintaining the distribution equipment. Even if members choose another power supplier, Choptank continues to deliver power and address any power-related issues. The cooperative offers consolidated billing, where members receive dual bills: one from Choptank Electric and another from their chosen supplier.
Choptank Electric Cooperative is a separate entity from Baltimore Gas & Electric Company (BGE), as indicated by their distinct contact information and outage reporting numbers listed by the Maryland Public Service Commission. Additionally, Choptank Electric Cooperative is listed as a separate electricity supplier on the Maryland Public Service Commission's website, where consumers can shop for and compare energy suppliers.
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It was founded in 1938 and is headquartered in Denton, Maryland
Choptank Electric Cooperative, a nonprofit utility cooperative, was founded on September 21, 1938, after the Rural Electrification Act was passed. Its headquarters are in Denton, Maryland. The cooperative's first electric distribution lines were energized on December 15, 1939, in Caroline County.
Choptank Electric Cooperative has been instrumental in providing electric power to rural areas in Maryland's Eastern Shore region. The name was changed to Choptank Electric Cooperative in 1942, and it joined the Old Dominion Electric Cooperative in 1976 to secure lower costs for wholesale electricity.
Choptank Electric Cooperative is owned by its members, who collectively decide on the board of directors. It serves over 52,000 members across nine counties on Maryland's Eastern Shore, covering a vast territory of 70 by 140 miles with approximately 6,200 miles of distribution lines.
In 2001, Choptank Electric Cooperative was ranked as Maryland's 11th largest energy company. As a Touchstone Energy Cooperative, it is committed to serving its members and communities with reliable and affordable energy.
Choptank Electric Cooperative is not a division of BGE (Baltimore Gas & Electric Company). It operates as a separate entity, providing electricity to rural areas in the Eastern Shore region of Maryland.
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Choptank Electric is owned by its members, who vote on the board of directors
Choptank Electric Cooperative is a non-profit utility cooperative that distributes electricity to rural areas in the Eastern Shore region of Maryland. It was founded in 1938 and is headquartered in Denton.
Choptank Electric is owned by its members, who each have one vote in deciding which co-op members will serve on the board of directors. This means that when someone signs up to receive electric service from Choptank Electric, they become a "member" of the cooperative, not a customer. The cooperative model of ownership is fundamentally different from that of investor-owned utilities, which seek to generate profits for shareholders. In contrast, electric co-ops operate on an "at-cost basis" and return profits to their members.
Choptank Electric serves more than 52,000 members across nine counties: Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester. This 70 by 140-mile territory contains almost 6,200 miles of distribution lines. In 2001, Choptank Electric was ranked the 11th largest energy company in Maryland.
The cooperative was formed on September 21, 1938, after the Rural Electrification Act was passed. Its first electric distribution lines were energized in Caroline County on December 15, 1939. Choptank Electric has since been instrumental in providing electric power to rural areas of Maryland's Eastern Shore. In 1942, the cooperative's name was changed to Choptank Electric Cooperative.
Choptank Electric Cooperative is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative and a member of Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, a generation and transmission cooperative serving member distribution cooperatives in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.
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They serve over 52,000 members across nine counties in Maryland
Choptank Electric Cooperative is a nonprofit utility cooperative that distributes electricity to rural areas in the Eastern Shore region of Maryland. It was formed on September 21, 1938, after the Rural Electrification Act was passed, and its first electric distribution lines were energised in Caroline County in December 1939.
The cooperative is owned by its members, who collectively decide which members will serve on the board of directors. Choptank Electric Cooperative serves more than 52,000 members across nine counties in Maryland: Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester. This vast territory spans 70 by 140 miles and contains almost 6,200 miles of distribution lines.
In 2001, Choptank Electric Cooperative was ranked as the 11th largest energy company in Maryland. Over the years, they have continued to expand their reach and serve more customers. For example, in 2006, they acquired the St. Michaels Electric Utility, adding 4,000 customers in the town of St. Michaels and its surrounding areas.
Choptank Electric Cooperative is committed to providing reliable and affordable electricity to its members across Maryland's Eastern Shore. Their dedication to their members and their significant impact on rural electrification in the region have contributed to their growth and recognition as a leading energy provider in the state.
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Choptank Electric is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative
Choptank Electric Cooperative is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative. It is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric distribution cooperative located on Maryland's Eastern Shore. It was founded in 1938 and is headquartered in Denton, Maryland.
Choptank Electric provides electricity to rural areas in the Eastern Shore region of Maryland, serving over 55,000 members across nine counties: Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester. This vast territory covers 70 by 140 miles and includes almost 6,200 miles of distribution lines.
The cooperative is governed by its members, who each have an equal vote in deciding which co-op members will serve on the board of directors. As a member, you invest in the co-op by paying your electric bills, and you may receive a portion of that investment back through capital credits when financial conditions allow.
Choptank Electric Cooperative is committed to providing reliable and cost-effective electricity to its member-owners, improving their quality of life. They are guided by the Seven Cooperative Principles in their pursuit of service excellence.
Choptank Electric is also a member of the Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, a generation and transmission cooperative serving 11 member distribution cooperatives across Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. Choptank Electric joined this cooperative in 1976 to secure lower costs for wholesale electricity.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Choptank Electric is a nonprofit utility cooperative that distributes electricity to rural areas in the Eastern Shore region of Maryland. It is owned by its members, who each have a vote in deciding which co-op members will serve on the board of directors.
Choptank Electric and BGE are both electricity suppliers operating in Maryland. They are separate entities, and consumers can choose between the two when selecting an energy supplier.
Yes, you can switch electricity suppliers from Choptank Electric to BGE or any other certified supplier in Maryland. However, it is essential to compare rates and understand the potential impact on any capital credits you accrue with Choptank Electric as a cooperative member.























