Baltimore Gas and Electric Company: generator, battery backup & CPAP rules
Service area: Baltimore City and central Maryland, with about 1.3 million electric and 700,000 natural gas customers.
Meter collar transfer switches
Accepted
Since October 4, 2024, BGE allows approved meter collar adapters under Maryland rules. Its approved list includes the Tesla Backup Switch (1624171-XX-Y), Enphase IQ Meter Collar (MC-200-011-V01), Global Power Products MA24-N (GenerLink) and several ConnectDER models for backup, solar and EV use. Your home must have 200-amp service or less, a matching meter form, 3 feet of clear space around the meter and no stacked collars; for an EV or solar collar, your panel must be maxed out. BGE must be on site to remove the meter, approves only load-side connections, reviews applications case by case, and you pay for the collar, labor, permits and inspections.
Generator and battery disconnect requirements
Backup generators must not backfeed BGE's grid. BGE says a transfer switch installed after the meter isolates the generator; it should be installed by a qualified electrician, meet the National Electrical Code and be inspected locally. For generation connected to the grid, such as solar, the outdoor disconnect must be accessible to BGE, lockable in the open position and clearly show whether it is open or closed. It should be within 10 feet of the meter; for an indoor meter, ask BGE.
Gas meter upgrades for standby generators
Gas utility: BGE
Contact BGE before adding a natural gas generator so it can check whether your gas meter and service line can handle the extra load. If not, a larger meter and sometimes a new service line are needed, and you may have to pay for the upgrade. If you skip this and overload the meter, BGE may shut off gas to the generator or the whole home until it is fixed. Apply through BGE's service application; questions go to gasmeterservices@bge.com. No fee amount is published.
Estimate your gas load with our gas meter calculator and read how gas meter sizing works.
Medical program for CPAP, BiPAP and oxygen users
- Program
- Special Needs Programs (certification of serious illness or life support)
- What it provides
- BGE will try to contact certified customers before a planned outage or a likely severe storm so they can start backup plans. It takes extra steps to avoid or delay shutoff: a certificate postpones termination for an initial period of up to 30 days, and you must make a payment agreement within 30 days. It is not a bill discount and does not give restoration priority.
- CPAP / BiPAP
- Not named. The certificate covers any electric or gas device a licensed provider certifies as essential ("life-support equipment").
- Renewal
- You can renew by sending a new certificate. Maryland rules set no limit on renewals.
Backup battery or generator programs
- Program
- None found
- What it provides
- BGE says customers are responsible for their own backup, such as a portable generator or battery. In January 2026, BGE proposed a pilot with utility-owned batteries at no cost: about 3 MW of batteries to reach an estimated 300 medically vulnerable customers over two years. The batteries would also join a virtual power plant. We could not confirm that the Maryland PSC has approved it.
- Eligibility
- Proposed for qualifying multifamily buildings with medically vulnerable residents.
Frequently asked questions
Does BGE allow meter collar transfer switches like the Tesla Backup Switch?
Accepted. Since October 4, 2024, BGE allows approved meter collar adapters under Maryland rules. Its approved list includes the Tesla Backup Switch (1624171-XX-Y), Enphase IQ Meter Collar (MC-200-011-V01), Global Power Products MA24-N (GenerLink) and several ConnectDER models for backup, solar and EV use. Your home must have 200-amp service or less, a matching meter form, 3 feet of clear space around the meter and no stacked collars; for an EV or solar collar, your panel must be maxed out. BGE must be on site to remove the meter, approves only load-side connections, reviews applications case by case, and you pay for the collar, labor, permits and inspections.
Does BGE have a program for customers who use a CPAP or other medical equipment?
Special Needs Programs (certification of serious illness or life support): BGE will try to contact certified customers before a planned outage or a likely severe storm so they can start backup plans. It takes extra steps to avoid or delay shutoff: a certificate postpones termination for an initial period of up to 30 days, and you must make a payment agreement within 30 days. It is not a bill discount and does not give restoration priority. Not named. The certificate covers any electric or gas device a licensed provider certifies as essential ("life-support equipment").
Does BGE offer backup batteries or generator rebates for medical customers?
We did not find a current backup battery or generator program for medical customers at BGE. BGE says customers are responsible for their own backup, such as a portable generator or battery. In January 2026, BGE proposed a pilot with utility-owned batteries at no cost: about 3 MW of batteries to reach an estimated 300 medically vulnerable customers over two years. The batteries would also join a virtual power plant. We could not confirm that the Maryland PSC has approved it.
How do I get a bigger gas meter for a standby generator in the BGE area?
BGE: Contact BGE before adding a natural gas generator so it can check whether your gas meter and service line can handle the extra load. If not, a larger meter and sometimes a new service line are needed, and you may have to pay for the upgrade. If you skip this and overload the meter, BGE may shut off gas to the generator or the whole home until it is fixed. Apply through BGE's service application; questions go to gasmeterservices@bge.com. No fee amount is published.