OPC Observes National Day of Mourning for Racial Reconciliation

Statement on George Floyd OPC Observes National Day of Mourning for Racial Reconciliation

 

Washington, DC -- As memorial services begin in Minneapolis today for George Floyd, the Office of the People's Counsel for the District of Columbia joins the civil rights community in observing a National Day of Mourning and calling for racial justice. People's Counsel Sandra Mattavous-Frye makes the following statement.

"The mandate of the Office of the People's Counsel is to advocate for quality utility service and equitable treatment for the residents of the nation's capital at rates that are just, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory. During the national crisis marked by the senseless death of Mr. Floyd in Minneapolis, we also insist that Washingtonians and all Americans are entitled to equitable treatment by police and must not be the victims of racial injustice or discrimination.

"Like Mayor Muriel Bowser and other District leaders, I believe in the right of the people to protest and speak out against police brutality and systemic racism. Peaceful demonstrations must not be overshadowed by the few acts of violence by those with other agendas. As an attorney, I also call for justice for Mr. Floyd's family as those allegedly responsible for his tragic death face charges.

"Moving forward, I wholeheartedly support the demands for police reform, racial reconciliation and substantive dialogue on how to create a world where people of color can live without fear.

Contact:  Doxie A. McCoy, Public Information Officer (202) 731-9152, dmccoy@opc-dc.gov Washington, DC-- The Office of the People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia (OPC) today released a new analysis of the feasibility of solar deployment in the city. In “The Future of Solar Study for the District of Columbia,” the findings reveal the differences in solar potential on a ward level and the suitability of particular options for generating solar power across the wards. The Future of Solar Study shows clear differences.  For example, Wards 2,3,5, and 6 appear to have greater potential for private rooftop installations while shared community solar projects, developed for large building rooftops or parking lot canopy, would be the best option for Wards 5,6,7 and 8. The study also found that Wards 2 and 3 are falling far short on what is technically and economically possible. Compared to other wards, Wards 4,7 and 8 have shown better progress toward reducing the gap between their potential and actual solar deployment. This latest analysis builds on OPC’s “Value of Solar Study,” which in 2017, focused on the potential for deploying solar and other distributed energy resources District-wide.  Both studies were undertaken in conjunction with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy and the Clean Energy States Alliance, a national, a nonprofit coalition of public agencies and organizations working together to advance clean energy. The 2020 findings indicated that the District could achieve its mandated goal of generating 100% of electricity through renewable energy by 2032. The study found this goal is technically feasible to achieve and development of rooftop and parking lot solar systems is a critical element. However, generating 10% retail electricity consumption from DC-specific solar deployment by 2041 requires substantial ongoing investment and engagement by the District government, stakeholders, and developers. Analysis of bill impacts indicate that an average residential customer is expected to realize a reduction of about $8 per year. “OPC supports the District’s noble objective of building a carbon-free sustainable environment,” said People’s Counsel Sandra Mattavous-Frye. “And our data-driven studies can serve as a blueprint and resource for the city and stakeholders as we work together to execute the mandated goals and strive to widen access to solar energy for consumers in all eight wards.” OPC’s Future of Solar Study also found that the price of electricity from solar is slightly higher than electricity generated from fossil fuel. However, the rapid reduction in the price of solar panels will most likely make the price of solar-powered electricity less expensive than the price of electricity generated from other sources. The study is available here.   Social Media: Twitter: @DCOPC Facebook:  facebook.com/DCPeoplesCounsel Instagram: @DCOPC Website:  opc-dc

CONSUMER ALERT

OPC Says New DC Council Relief Measures Will Help Utility Consumers Adjust to Higher Bills after COVID-19 Emergency

  The Office of the People's Counsel welcomes DC Council passage of the Coronavirus Support Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 on May 19.  The legislation that OPC helped to craft mandates payment plans to assist consumers with managing electric, gas, water, and telecommunications bills during the public health emergency and up to six months after it's lifted. Among the bill's provisions, utilities are required to offer payment plans extending for at least one year to eligible customers upon request; they are prohibited from reporting delinquencies to credit agencies; and cannot require a lump-sum payment under plans. *In addition, consumers may file a written complaint with OPC if they are denied a payment plan. [*An earlier alert stated that utilities must contact OPC if a consumer is denied a payment plan. However, notification is not a requirement.] "We thank Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie for his leadership, and the entire Council, for taking these steps to assist consumers who may not be able to afford their utility bills down the line," says People's Counsel Sandra Mattavous-Frye. Previous Council acts mandated moratoriums on disconnections; most utilities also decided to waive late fees and restore service despite arrears. OPC believes the latest action is a key element in assisting households who, as they stay at home, are using more energy and water for their well-being but at the same time are experiencing higher bills. During Mayor Muriel Bowser's stay-at-home order, OPC staff is teleworking and remotely responding to consumer complaints related to their water, electric, natural gas and local phone utilities. Consumers should contact (202) 727-3071 for help with a service or billing issue, or file a complaint @ opc-dc.gov.

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Mayor Bowser is reminding residents that on Saturday, May 1, the District will transition from using a pre-registration system for vaccinations to the use of 11 walk-up, no appointment needed sites across DC. Currently, walk-up sites are open for DC residents 65 and older, with one site for residents of Wards 7 and 8 who are 18 and older. Beginning Saturday, May 1, the walk-up sites will be open to all DC residents 18 and older.

On Saturday, May 1, when Mayor Bowser is hosting a citywide Day of Action, 10 of the 11 walk-up sites will have special hours. Additionally, on Saturday, May 1, three of the walk-up sites will administer the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine; after Saturday, those three sites will use either the two-dose Pfizer vaccine or the two-dose Moderna vaccine. The schedule for May 1 as well as the normal operating schedule for May can be seen below. Saturday, May 1 will be the last day the Entertainment and Sports Arena is used as a vaccination site; after May 1, vaccinations will be at the RISE Demonstration Center which is also on the St. Elizabeths campus.

When residents go to a walk-up site for their first dose, they will make an appointment to receive their second dose. The walk-up sites should only be used for second doses if an individual has an appointment for a second dose at that site.

The walk-up sites will be in addition to the pharmacies, clinics, and health care providers that are also administering the vaccines citywide. These sites will operate their own scheduling systems, and residents who prefer to make an appointment instead of visiting a walk-up site are encouraged to make an appointment at a pharmacy, clinic, or health care provider. Residents can find information about available vaccines at vaccinefinder.org. Children’s National continues to serve as the vaccination site for DC residents who are 16 and 17 years old, and the Children’s National registration page can be accessed HERE.

Residents who are unable to leave home to get vaccinated can still call 1-855-363-0333 to make an appointment for a free at-home vaccination.

On Saturday, May 1, Mayor Bowser is hosting a Day of Action when volunteers will canvass neighborhoods and help residents make a plan to get their free COVID-19 vaccine. Community members interested in joining the effort and helping neighbors make a plan to get vaccinated should visit bit.ly/dayofactiondc.

St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Ward 7 is hosting Faith in the Vaccine clinics today, April 28, and tomorrow, April 29. Emory Fellowship United Methodist Church in Ward 4 is hosting a Faith in the Vaccine clinic on Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1. And Masjid Muhammad, The Nation’s Mosque, will host Faith in the Vaccine clinics on Friday, May 7 and Saturday, May 8.

Later today, DC Health will release updated guidance around the use of masks, which will align the District’s guidance with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Office of the People's Counsel to

Continuing Providing Support for Utility

Consumers During Health Crisis

 

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In response to the public health emergency created by the COVID-19 virus and to protect District ratepayers from the spread of the virus, effective Monday March 16th @ 9:00 AM, the Office of the People's Counsel will begin serving consumers remotely. Consumers seeking to address a utility consumer complaint may do so online at www.opc-dc.gov using OPC's consumer complaint form, or by calling our office at 202-727-3071. OPC Consumer Complaint Specialists will return your call within 24 hours. Persons who are unable to file online and seek to meet with a complaint specialist in-person must do so by calling (202) 727-3071 to arrange an appointment. On March 10, People's Counsel Sandra Mattavous-Frye sent a letter to each locally operating utility to ascertain how it will adjust their consumer service and payment policies during this health crisis. OPC urged the utilities to take action to facilitate the continued provision of essential utility service during this period. Pepco has indicated it has set a moratorium on the disconnection of electric service for all customers until May 1. In addition, the company will waive late fees during this period and extend special payment terms to consumers. DC Water will also suspend water service disconnections and waive late fees for customers during this crisis. Verizon has suspended disconnections to residential and small business consumers affected by disruptions caused by the Coronavirus for 60 days. OPC will forward information regarding Washington Gas Light's policies as they are developed.   Media Contact: Doxie McCoy Public Information Officer (202) 261-1180 dmccoy@opc-dc.gov

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Washington, DC - In testimony filed today before the DC Public Service Commission (PSC), People's Counsel Sandra Mattavous Frye opposes Pepco's request for a $81 million rate increase and the establishment of a Multiyear Rate Plan. "Pepco's proposed rate increase is excessive, places an unfair and unacceptable energy burden on DC consumers and should be rejected," she said. People's Counsel Mattavous Frye added, "OPC will vigorously oppose any proposal that harms consumers or impedes a thorough review of a utility company's request to increase rates. I made it clear when Pepco filed this case, my goal is to ensure that any rate plan authorized by the DC PSC both generates real, tangible benefits for District consumers and supports the District's environmental goals and modernization policies. Pepco's multiyear rate proposal  harms consumers, fails to deliver benefits and is not needed in order to meet the District's short- or long-term environmental goals." In May 2019, Pepco filed an Application to Implement A Multiyear Rate Plan for Electric Distribution Service in the District of Columbia ("Application") with two separate components: a proposed plan to change the way in which rates are set that would give the Company pre-authorized approval to increase rates each year over a three-year period, called a ("Multiyear Rate Plan" ("MRP"), along with a traditional rate case in which Pepco seeks to increase rates by $81 million. After a thorough review of the company's 2,000-page Application OPC has determined that Pepco's multiyear rate proposal is not in the public interest because it: (1) may increase customer bills; (2) weakens the Commission's and OPC's regulatory review process; (3) violates the majority of PSC policy requirements for any new ratemaking proposal; and (4) does nothing to truly support the District's Grid Modernization and Climate Action goals. The Company's expansive construction plan budget does not have one Distributed Energy Resource Project or Non-Wires Alternative such as battery storage or solar. OPC has further determined that Pepco is entitled to no more than $25 Million in additional revenues. Shockingly, if Pepco's request is granted, on average, it would increase residential rates by $10 per month in the first year. This would be followed by pre-approved rate increases over the next two-year period.

OPC will continue to educate consumers about the details of Pepco's proposal and OPC's position through outreach events in all parts of the city. If you want to express your concerns about Pepco's request to change the ratemaking process and increase rates, contact OPC at (202) 727-3071 or info@opc-dc.gov and we will inform you how to participate in the process.

  Media Contact: Doxie McCoy Public Information Officer (202) 261-1180 dmccoy@opc-dc.gov

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Washington, DC –On Monday, March 9, 2020 the Office of the People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia is launching “OPC Radio Connect,” a podcast hosted by People’s Counsel Sandra Mattavous-Frye.  Through a partnership with DC Radio, a channel of the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment, OPC Radio Connect will feature information on a variety of utility and energy-related issues such as climate change, careers in energy and utility scams. The podcast also will delve into how OPC serves DC utility consumers. OPC Radio Connect will air Monday – Friday mornings from 7:00 – 7:30 AM on DC Radio 96.3 HD4 (WHUR’s HD frequency), on DCRADIO.GOV, DC Radio on iPhone and Android apps, Tunein.com, and on Google and Alexa. The program is available “on-demand” on various podcast apps such as Apple, SoundCloud and Spotify. “OPC Radio Connect is a creative extension of OPC’s outreach to consumers that will inform them of the latest news and trends affecting their utilities,” said People’s Counsel Mattavous-Frye. “We welcome OPC Radio Connect to the DC Radio lineup and look forward to timely topics about the utility and energy world,” said DC Radio General Manager Maxx Myrick. People’s Counsel Mattavous-Frye will lead lively discussions with national figures, local experts and OPC’s knowledgeable staff.

Media Contact: Doxie McCoy Public Information Officer (202) 261-1180 dmccoy@opc-dc.gov