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Foreword
In the heart of Washington, D.C., where monumental decisions shape the course of our nation, there is an often overlooked yet vital thread that weaves through the fabric of our lives: utility services. These services, which provide electricity, gas, water, and telecommunications to our homes and businesses, are not amenities; they provide, collectively, the means of our existence.
Utility services are a basic human right, not a luxury. They reach into every home and business, touching every life, regardless of background or circumstance. They illuminate our homes, power our devices, quench our thirst, and connect us with the world. If there is a problem with your utilities, your quality of life is seriously diminished.
This storybook is a chronicle of the events and circumstances that led to the rebirth of the Office of the People’s Counsel (OPC) and its work in the utility space.
OPC was created to protect, advocate for, educate, and empower all ratepayers in the District of Columbia, especially those residents who are often overlooked and lack the resources and voice to make their needs known. Though consumers had an advocate in the past within the Public Service Commission from 1926 to 1952, the unfortunate dissolution of the People’s Counsel office in 1952 left them without one until 1975 when Congress resurrected OPC as an independent agency.1
In the crucible of change and challenge throughout the eras, OPC’s mission has remained steadfast: to ensure that every D.C. resident receives utility services that are not only reliable, affordable, and equitable but also environmentally sustainable.
This storybook celebrates OPC’s impact to date, which includes significant rate reductions, strong consumer protections, service reliability assurances, sustainability, and clean air initiatives. Since its inception in 1975, OPC has delivered $1.2 billion (about $4 per person in the United States) in overall savings to ratepayers, secured utility rates that are among the lowest on the Eastern Seaboard, and shaped vital legislation that will impact generations to come.2
We are living in an era increasingly defined by climate change and energy crises, so OPC’s focus must continue to evolve to address the most pressing issues. The future of utilities demands our undivided attention. The risk of failing to preserve the work and vision of OPC is too great. As we take important steps to protect the utility rights of future generations, we must not forget the lessons of the past.
This storybook is a testament to our past, a guide for our present, and a beacon for our future. Our commitment to consumer empowerment, affordability, reliability, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability is unwavering.
With deep conviction,
Sandra Mattavous-Frye, Esq. People’s Counsel,
Office of the People’s Counsel
OPC’s Journey to Protect Utility Consumers
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