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OPC’s Organizational Structure
OPC’s organizational structure is configured to ensure the agency succeeds in achieving its goal of representing D.C. consumers zealously. The agency is headed by the People’s Counsel, an attorney appointed by the Mayor of the District of Columbia. OPC has five divisions, with each unit responsible for distinct aspects of consumer advocacy.
Office of the People’s Counsel
The Directorate Division
The Operations Division
The Litigation Services Division
Environment and Climate Action Section
Consumer Services Division
Water Services Division
OPC’s Funding Mechanism
One of OPC’s defining characteristics is its funding independence.11 To fully participate in complex litigation before the PSC and the courts, the People’s Counsel is authorized to retain the professional services of attorneys and expert technical consultants, such as economists, accountants, and engineers, as needed to represent D.C. utility consumers effectively. By law, the affected utility company is required to pay the costs of regulatory litigation of the Office through a special franchise tax. This applies to the PSC as well. In turn, the law recognizes the utility may include these costs, as well as its own litigation- related expenses, as operating expenses and charge them to ratepayers. OPC applies a special franchise fee tax assessed directly against utility companies to fund litigation efforts related to specific cases the utilities bring before the PSC.
OPC’s Journey to Protect Utility Consumers 13