Category: Press Releases & Advisories
Consumer Alert: The Solar Bill is Bad for Consumers
The Office of the People's Counsel urges DC consumers to let your voice be heard. Tell the DC Council to oppose the latest Local Solar Expansion Act. OPC believes it will unjustly raise your electric bill.
OPC Wins A Victory for Pepco Customers in Two Major Appeals Court Decisions
Washington, DC - The Office of the People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia (OPC) reports the DC Court of Appeals (DCCA) has ruled in favor of OPC’s challenge of two DC Public Service Commission (PSC) decisions that OPC successfully argued were harmful to Pepco consumers.
OPC Files Testimony with the PSC Opposing Washington Gas Light’s Proposed $53 Million Rate Increase and Calls for Increased Regulatory Oversight of Infrastructure Projects
Washington, DC - The Office of the People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia (OPC) has filed testimony requesting that the DC Public Service Commission (PSC) reject the vast majority ($47.3 million) of Washington Gas Light’s (WGL) $53 million proposed rate increase and urges the PSC to closely examine the...
District Steps Toward Long Term Renewable Energy Goals With 15-Year Power Purchase Commitment
The DC Public Service Commission's approval of the first 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA), which includes renewable solar or wind power "is a historic advance in the goal to provide District electric consumers with clean energy and to meet the District 2032 100% renewable energy goal," stated People's Counsel Sandra...
Earth Day 2022, Equity in Electrification for Consumers
April 22, 2022 OPC Combating Climate Change with Equity in Electrification By Sandra Mattavous-Frye People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia The Office of the People’s Counsel (OPC) is pleased to observe Earth Day, April 22, 2022, by highlighting a recent study OPC commissioned: Equity Assessment of Electrification Incentives in...
DC Government Agencies File Complaint Against Pepco to Seek Relief for Thousands of Solar Program Participants
The DC Office of the People’s Counsel (OPC) and the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia (OAG) today jointly filed a complaint and petition requesting that the Public Service Commission (PSC or Commission) investigate Pepco’s repeated failure to comply with District law governing Community Renewable Energy...
Moratorium on Utility Disconnections Ends on January 10, 2022
Consumer Advisory: Financial assistance is available to help customers maintain utility service and pay down bills. PDF available for download
DC People’s Counsel Sandra Mattavous-Frye to Receive High Honor from National Consumer Advocates Association
The National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) this evening will present the “Robert F. Manifold Lifetime Service Award” to Sandra Mattavous-Frye, People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia, for her “many years of service to utility consumers in Washington, DC.” The Robert F. Manifold Award is given to...
OPC Responds to Consumers Reporting Difficulties Contacting WGL Customer Service
Consumer Advisory Today, in a letter to the DC Public Service Commission Chairman, People’s Counsel Sandra Mattavous-Frye has asked the Commission to look into and work with OPC as soon as possible to resolve any issues related to consumers' ability to contact WGL Customer Services. Ms. Mattavous-Fry states, “I am...
OPC Urges Federal DOE to Focus on the needs of Disadvantaged Communities and Environmental Justice in Electric Vehicle Research
Click here to view DE-FOA-0002528 Request for Information on Integrating Electric Vehicles onto the Electric Grid.
OPC Asks PSC to Modify Pepco Rate Case Decision to Reflect Facts in the Record, Correct Legal Errors, and Protect Consumers from Future Harm
PRESS RELEASE Washington, DC -- OPC today asked the DC Public Service Commission to reconsider its order approving a Modified Enhanced Multiyear Rate Plan (EMRP). The Modified EMRP is a significantly different form of establishing rates for electric service. In its filing, OPC outlined several areas where the Commission committed legal errors in approving Pepco's...
PSC Grants Pepco $108.6 M Rate Increase Through 2023
PRESS RELEASE PSC Order Granting Pepco a $108.6 Million Rate Increase through 2023 is Appalling and Harmful to Ratepayers Washington, DC -- Earlier this afternoon, the DC Public Service Commission (PSC) approved both a $108.6 million increase to Pepco’s distribution rates and Pepco’s request to implement this increase through a multi-year rate plan....
DC Government Responding to COVID-19
Mayor Bowser Announces Days...times... OPC Encourages Residents to Take Advantage of NEW COVID-19 Rent and Utility Assistance Program While Funds Are Available! To learn more about the STAY DC program. With All DC Residents 16+ Becoming Eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine on April 19, Mayor Bowser Asks All DC Residents to Pre-Register...
OPC Encourages Residents to Take Advantage of NEW COVID-19 Rent and Utility Assistance Program While Funds Are Available!
Consumer Advisory OPC Encourages Residents to Take Advantage of NEW COVID-19 Rent and Utility Assistance Program While Funds Are Available! DC People’s Counsel Sandra Mattavous-Frye wants consumers struggling to pay rent or utility bills due to the pandemic to know they now have more resources to call on. The Office...
PSC Response to COVID-19 Is Long Overdue
On Thursday March 4th, ten months after OPC filed its petition requesting the DC Public Service Commission investigate ways to help consumers impacted by COVID-19, the PSC issued an order providing a few measures to assist utility consumers struggling to pay utility bills during the pandemic. People’s Counsel Sandra Mattavous-Frye stated that “While the Public...
Pepco’s Customer Base Rate Credit to Expire This Week. Residential Bills to Go Up
Consumer Alert Pepco's Customer Base Rate Credit to Expire This Week Residential Bills to Go Up The Office of the People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia is alerting Pepco consumers that electric bills are going up as the Customer Base Rate Credit (CBRC) will expire this week. The CBRC...
DC PSC Denies OPC Request to Dismiss Pepco Rate Increase Case
PSC Rejects Request to Dismiss Pepco's Application for Huge Rate Hike, A Decision OPC Predicts Will Lead to Negative Impacts for Consumers Already Struggling During Pandemic Washington, DC - The Office of the People's Counsel reports that the Public Service Commission yesterday issued an order denying OPC's motion to dismiss...
OPC Calls Washington Gas Rate Hike Proposal Excessive & Lacking Key Support for DC Climate Action Goals
Washington, DC - In testimony filed today before the DC Public Service Commission (PSC), People's Counsel Sandra Mattavous Frye opposes Washington Gas Light's request for a $35.2 million rate increase, $9.1 million of which are increases stemming from the company's PROJECTpipes accelerated gas pipeline replacement program. Should the Commission approve this request, it would increase the...
OPC warns consumers; “Don’t Believe the Rate Case Hype”
Consumer fact sheet Myths and the Facts About Pepco’s Request To Implement A Multiyear Rate Plan And Increase Electric Distribution Rates (DC PSC Formal Case No. 1156) PDF available for Download On May 30, 2019, Pepco filed for a $162 million rate increase with the DC Public Service Commission requesting...
Water Services Division Progress Report Highlights OPC’s Success in Serving DC Water Consumers
Washington, DC -- The Office of the People's Counsel for the District of Columbia today released the "OPC Water Services Division 2019-2020 Progress Report," which documents the numerous benefits OPC has provided to water consumers since becoming the statutory representative for DC Water ratepayers in April 2019. "Prior to April...
The Office of the People’s Counsel Statement on George Floyd in Observance of the National Day of Mourning for Racial Reconciliation
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...
New OPC Study Reveals Solar Potential in DC Wards & Impact on Renewable Energy Goals
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...
OPC Says New DC Council Relief Measures Will Help Utility Consumers Adjust to Higher Bills after COVID-19 Emergency
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...
Mayor Bowser Announces Days and Hours of Walk-Up Vaccination Sites
(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...
OPC Continues to Serve Consumers in Response to Covid-19 Health Emergency
The Office of the People's Counsel to Continuing Providing Support for Utility Consumers During Health Crisis PDF available for Download 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...
Pepco’s $81 Million Rate Increase and Proposed Multiyear Rate Plan Unfairly Burdens DC Utility Consumers
PDF available for Download 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...
OPC is on the Radio! New Podcast to Cover Pressing Local & National Utility & Energy News
PDF available for Download 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...
