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A Note from Your
People's Counsel
Sandra Mattavous-Frye
Monitoring the Heartbeat of Energy Affordability
In November 2025, the Office of the People’s Counsel filed a petition calling on the DC Public Service Commission to open a comprehensive energy affordability proceeding to confront the growing crisis of skyrocketing utility bills DC residents are forced to pay.
OPC is pleased that the Commission announced on January 16 that it would act on our petition and open an investigation into ways to address rising energy costs. OPC’s request followed the release of our groundbreaking study: Energy Affordability in Washington, DC: Tracking and Enhancing Energy Affordability for District Residents. The data-driven report recommends that the PSC adopt a framework to measure how policy, infrastructure, and rate decisions impact household budgets citywide. OPC’s goal is to assist the Commission, utility companies, and community stakeholders in developing solutions to reduce energy burdens. These burdens, unfortunately, make families have to choose between keeping the lights on and paying for food, medical care, or other necessities.
I invite you to read my recent column in The Washington Informer Newspaper in which I delve into these issues and call for immediate action. OPC also encourages consumers to submit comments to the Public Service Commission on the affordability proceeding (Formal Case No. 1186) by its February 16 deadline.
You can be part of the solution as we all work together to ensure access to affordable, safe, reliable, and sustainable energy for all District residents.
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The Cold Facts
With freezing temperatures around us, OPC reminds consumers that they are protected from utility disconnections on certain days. DC law bars Pepco and Washington Gas from disconnecting residential electric or natural gas service on the day preceding and, on the day when there is a forecast of extreme temperatures in the District, and when the National Weather Service forecast is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Shut-offs are also prohibited on a holiday or weekend day.
These protections are included in the Consumer Bill of Rights, which provides safeguards for consumers of natural gas, electric, and telecommunications services in the District of Columbia.
If you believe you have been wrongfully disconnected, contact OPC at (202) 727-3071.
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ICYMI: Watch What's Happening at Anacostia High
In case you missed it, the December OPC Connection cited the awesome “Adopt-a-School" energy and utility education program OPC launched at Anacostia High School in Ward 8. Through a series of interactive workshops, OPC staff are exposing students to topics such as energy justice, utility regulation, solar energy, and climate.
In the first session, students, educators, and OPC staff participated in a “Generation Simulation.” Through role-playing, the youth experienced what it would be like to struggle to make ends meet with high utility bills, power blackouts, Wi-Fi outages, and other challenges. Why access to energy isn’t always fair is one lesson they learned. Check out this video recap.
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The Water Connection
Moving Toward a
Lead Free DC
The DC Lead Pipe Replacement Assistance Program is drilling through DC neighborhoods. Designed to help residents replace lead service lines that connect the city water supply to homes, the program is crucial for addressing public health concerns related to lead exposure.
If your home was built before the 1980s, it most likely has lead pipes. Because lead exposure can cause illness, in 2022, the city allocated $10 million for lead pipe replacements. This program is part of a broader initiative to eliminate lead service lines in the District, ensuring safer drinking water for all residents.
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Learn about multiple lead service line replacement programs here. The DC Water Lead Free DC Construction Dashboard provides construction updates for active and planned lead service line replacements.
Call (202) 787-4044 or email lead@dcwater.com for more information or visit dcwater.com/lead. Apply for financial assistance through the Department of Energy & Environment.
Connect with OPC’s Water Services Division at (202) 727-3071.
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The DC Council Connection
Changing Over
If you follow DC Council News, you may be aware of recent changes in the legislative body. Some of those changes impact the Office of the People’s Counsel. For several Council periods, the Committee on Business and Economic Development, chaired by then-At-Large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, had oversight of OPC. Mr. McDuffie resigned from the Council, effective January 5, 2026. OPC thanks our former committee chairman for many years of governance and partnering for the benefit of utility consumers in the District of Columbia.
OPC oversight is now under the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, led by Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen. OPC looks forward to working more closely with Chairman Allen, whose key matters often overlapped with OPC’s.
Also, no stranger to OPC’s focus areas is newly appointed At-Large Councilmember Doni Crawford, former staff director of the Committee on Business and Economic Development. OPC congratulates Councilmember Crawford and looks forward to continuing relations with her as she is now a member of the Committee on Transportation and the Environment.
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OPC is Advocating for Consumers in the
Following Cases:
Formal Case No. 1180: The Washington Gas Light Company Rate Case Application.
On December 22, OPC filed an Application for Reconsideration of Order No. 22741. The Order states PSC will accept Washington Gas’s Net Operating Loss Carry Forward (NOLA) Balance. Further, OPC requests the PSC to reconsider its decision to accept PROJECTpipes costs into base rates without a review.
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OPC In Your Neighborhood
OPC welcomes opportunities to speak at your Advisory Neighborhood Commission, civic association, community group activity, or meeting. We can give updates on utility issues, trends, and highlight how we serve DC consumers. Call (202) 727-3071 if your group would like our staff to make an in-person or virtual presentation. These are scheduled events and appearances. For virtual meetings, contact the organizer for sign-on information.
Gettysburg Group Education Session
3001 Bladensburg Road NE
Wednesday, February 11
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Allen House Senior Apartments Group Education Session
3760 Minnesota Avenue NE
Friday, February 13
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Jobs Have Priority, Inc. Internal Resource/Job Fair
810 Potomac Avenue SE
Saturday, February 14
9:30 am - 1:00 pm
North Capitol at Plymouth Group Education Session
5233 North Capitol Street NE
Friday, February 20
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Petersburg Senior Building Group Education Session
3298 Ft. Lincoln Drive NE
Tuesday, February 24
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
| | OPC legal and consumer outreach staff attend a community meeting in Ward 6 where residents expressed concerns about Pepco power outages, electrical surges, and damage to their household appliances. If you've been impacted, OPC encourages you to file a claim for reimbursement for damages with Pepco. | | OPC's CharQuia Barringtine with Geoffrey D. Brooks, Job Developer with Jobs Have Priority at the group's resource fair. | | |
Connect With OPC!
Do you have feedback or an idea for an article that could be featured in an upcoming edition of the OPC Connection? We want to hear from you! Just drop our editorial team an email @ info@opc-dc.gov or X/tweet us @DCOPC.
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OPC Connection Editorial Team:
Doxie McCoy, Phillip Harmon, Quaneisha Glover,
Chawndise Battle, Dwayne Houston, Alya Solomon, Valca Valentine
Contributors:
Sandra Mattavous-Frye, Karen Sistrunk, Laurence Daniels,
Linda Jefferson, Sheila Ruffin, CharQuia Barringtine, Bryan Rhoades
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The Office of the People's Counsel, 655 15th Street NW, Suite 200 Washington, DC 20005 | Tel: (202) 727-3071 | Fax: (202) 727-1014 | TTY-TTD: (202) 727-2876
www.opc-dc.gov | info@opc-dc.gov
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