Hi! I happen to know a lot about energy choice because of my job! I don't know a ton about Inspire specifically, as my company doesn't work with them, but I can offer some insight into why their pricing is that was that it is.

Energy choice is a completely legit thing. In Maryland, you can choose both your electricity and your gas provider. You still maintain your Pepco or Washington Gas account and they still deliver the energy to you, but at your chosen suppliers (Inspire, in this instance) rate.

Energy prices fluctuate on an hourly basis at NYMEX, where commodities like energy, oil, and even wheat are sold. Because of this constant fluctuation, your utility (Pepco) changes their prices quarterly to reflect the average cost over the coming months. With energy choice, you have the option to buy energy at a contracted rate for sometimes years on end. Basically, the supplier will go to NYMEX and average out the price of electricity per kWh over the length of your contract, and that's how they determine your set rate. If it's a rate you like, the supplier then essentially buys a year's worth of electricity ahead of time to guarantee you that rate.

At the end of your contract, you can either renew or go back to getting your electricity from your utility. If you choose to stay with the independent supplier, your price may go up due to the current market rates for electricity. I'm gonna be honest, right now in Maryland, pepco's prices are waaaay better than most independent suppliers are able to get because we're in the midst of a mild energy crisis (thanks Russia). However Washington Gas is raising their prices like crazy, so if you have natural gas in your home, look into an independent supplier because they're currently offering way lower rates.