BGE Pushes for Power Plant Ownership in Super Bowl Ads

Utility company seeks legislative change to build and run power plants in Maryland

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE), a subsidiary of Exelon, has purchased close to $70,000 in advertising for two spots set to run during the Super Bowl broadcast. The ads are part of a political push by BGE to convince Maryland lawmakers to allow the utility to build and own power plants, a move that has drawn resistance from the state's ratepayer advocate and a competitor, Constellation Energy.

Why it matters

BGE argues that allowing it to generate power would help address growing electricity demand and soaring utility bills in Maryland. However, critics say this would expand BGE's spending and allow the company to collect even more from customers. The debate highlights the tension between utility companies' business interests and consumer protection.

The details

The BGE ads feature a customer worried about rising utility bills, and claim that 'private power plant companies that control our power supply are failing to meet demand.' The ads argue that regulated utilities like BGE could be part of the solution by building power sources, but 'current rules stand in the way.' BGE has spent $150,000 on 93 local TV spots to air the ads, which are also running during NBC's Winter Olympics coverage.

  • The Super Bowl ads will air ahead of the game's kickoff and during postgame coverage on February 12, 2026.
  • BGE has been running the ads since late January 2026 as part of a broader 'education campaign.'

The players

Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE)

A subsidiary of the Chicago-based Exelon Corporation that provides electricity and natural gas services in Maryland.

Maryland Office of People's Counsel

A state-appointed utility watchdog that has argued BGE's proposal to build generation would expand its spending and allow the company to collect even more from customers.

Constellation Energy

A Baltimore-based power generation company that is a former sibling company of Exelon and has criticized BGE's ads as an attempt to 'change the subject' from the true reasons for rising utility bills.

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What’s next

Exelon has yet to find a Maryland lawmaker to introduce legislation allowing BGE to build and own power generation, but a provision in existing law could allow the company to do so with regulator approval.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the ongoing tension between utility companies' business interests and consumer protection, as BGE pushes for expanded power generation capabilities that could increase customer costs, despite claims that it would help address rising electricity demand and bills.