People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia Sandra Mattavous-Frye is recognized as one of the nation’s leading utility consumer advocates. She heads the Office of the People’s Counsel, which advocates, educates, and protects the interests of electric, natural gas, water, and local telephone consumers in the District.
In 2013, Attorney Mattavous-Frye received the University of the District of Columbia Advocate for Justice Award in recognition of her career in public interest law, and in 2016 she received the State Regulatory Practitioner Award from the Energy Bar Association for demonstrated professional competence in energy law throughout her career; and in 2018, received the Outstanding Citizens Award from the DC Federation of Citizens Associations.
Prior to becoming the People’s Counsel, Ms. Mattavous-Frye served in various positions at OPC, including Deputy People’s Counsel, Director of Litigation and Energy Section Trial Supervisor.
The People’s Counsel is the recipient of the 2021 “Robert F. Manifold Lifetime Service Award,” the highest honor awarded by the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA). The Manifold Award is given to “individuals who have demonstrated the highest level of dedication to public service over their career.” The late Robert F. Manifold was a passionate supporter of NASUCA and served as Chief Public Counsel for the Washington State Attorney General’s Office.
In recent years, Ms. Mattavous-Frye has led OPC-initiated proceedings and initiatives including the following:
In April 2015, OPC sponsored the first of its kind consumer energy symposium to connect District residents with notable energy and technology experts. Consumers learned how to better utilize their energy resources and save money at the day-long conference.
Pursuant to a DC Council directive to conduct a study to review and assess emerging alternatives for energy choice for residential consumers, OPC launched the District of Columbia’s first Value of Solar study. Given the growing importance of solar in DC’s energy landscape, OPC believed that an assessment of the District’s solar capacity, costs and benefits would be a valuable tool for policymakers and energy stakeholders as they assess the costs and benefits of solar deployment.There were two central components to the project:
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