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‘Tis the Season
This is the time when you might be hearing or seeing commercials urging you to get HVAC heating check-ups, wisely monitor your thermostat settings, or protect your pipes, as colder weather is upon us. OPC wants you to know that as you heed those messages, it’s also a good idea to research and apply for benefits that might help you pay utility bills.
For example, the District Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) began taking applications for the Fiscal Year 2027 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) on October 20. LIHEAP assists income-eligible households with heating and cooling energy costs. A one-time benefit may be between $250 and $1,800.
DOEE offers other programs for consumers at various income levels. Visit the agency’s energy assistance page for eligibility guidelines and applications. Also see a recent OPC consumer alert.
If you need help filing applications for any energy or water assistance program, call OPC at (202) 727-3071.
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Transparency, Accountability, Affordability
At an October 1 public hearing, OPC provided testimony strongly supporting the proposed "Public Trust in Utility Regulation Act of 2026." OPC attorneys emphasized the need to strengthen transparency, accountability, and affordability in utility regulation. Pictured at the hearing are Special Assistant Attorney General Shilpa Sadhasivam, DC Office of the Attorney General; OPC Assistant People's Counsel Stephen Marencic; and OPC Director of Litigation Laurence Daniels.
OPC supports language in the legislation that requires utilities to provide detailed, project-specific information about capital expenditures, including costs, anticipated consumer benefits, and impacts on safety and reliability. OPC also is in favor of expressly placing the burden of proof on utilities to justify proposed expenditures, requiring comprehensive utility audits every three years, and making investment information publicly accessible.
OPC stressed that modernizing the District’s energy infrastructure and maintaining affordable utility rates are not competing objectives. Importantly, OPC emphasized that affordability must be considered throughout the investment approval process, including the cumulative impact of utility spending on household bills.
If enacted, the legislation would strengthen regulatory oversight, discourage unnecessary or excessive utility spending, improve public transparency, and help protect residents from unjustified rate increases while ensuring continued investment in safe, reliable, and modern energy infrastructure.
Watch the hearing here. Fast forward to 4:06:10, where OPC also testified in support of the Retail Energy Market Consumer Protection Amendment Act of 2026. The measure would strengthen oversight of residential third-party energy suppliers by capping rates, eliminating cancellation fees, and cracking down on deceptive marketing. OPC is pushing for even stronger rate protections for low-income families. Testimony on the Public Trust in Utility Regulation follows at 4:18:15.
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The Water Connection
Could You Imagine a Day Without Water?
October 15 was "Imagine a Day Without Water." The annual national observance raises awareness about the value of vital water infrastructure, the impact of aging systems, and the importance of continuous investment in safe drinking water. OPC and advocates across the country encourage households and communities to contemplate the harsh reality of living without reliable tap water for drinking, cooking, safety, or sanitation.
DC Water Administrative Hearings
OPC's Water Services Division wants to update DC Water consumers on an issue of concern: the backlog in the scheduling of administrative hearings. Residents have complained to OPC about having to wait longer than the 120 days DC Water claims to be the standard practice. OPC continues to press DC Water to follow what's supposed to be the acceptable waiting period in the formal administrative hearing process.
After a consumer disputes a bill, DC Water investigates the complaint and renders a decision. If the consumer is not satisfied with the outcome, the customer must request an administrative hearing in writing within 15 calendar days of the date of the decision.
If you have questions about the billing dispute or administrative hearing processes, contact DC Water customer service at (202) 354-3750. You also can call OPC's Water Services Division at (202) 727-3071 or file a complaint at opc-dc.gov.
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The Tech Connection
The Complex Components of Your Pepco Bill
Here's another part in OPC's Technical Services Division's series to "make it plain," and decipher complex utility operations.
The District of Columbia does not have any large power plants, so it relies on a regional electricity grid and power pool. Pepco consumers are dependent upon power generated in other parts of the country that is shared over long distance power lines. That grid, and the market where electricity is bought and sold in bulk, are run by PJM Interconnection, named for its original three states, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland.
PJM coordinates the purchase and movement of wholesale electricity to all or part of 13 states and the District and enables plants in the states to work together as one system.
Pepco buys electricity for customers through auctions, where suppliers bid to provide Standard Offer Service, the energy supply you get if you have not chosen a third-party supplier. The cost has four parts: energy, capacity, support services that keep the grid steady, and a cushion suppliers add in case prices rise after they bid.
Capacity payments keep power plants ready to run when needed. These costs become the supply charge on your bill. Transmission charges, Pepco’s local distribution charges and taxes are added on top. The chart below lays it all out.
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PJM does not set Pepco rates. That's the responsibility of the DC Public Service Commission. But PJM-related costs are a big part of your bill.
Capacity prices go up when there are not enough power plants to cover expected peak demand, when it's really hot, and air conditioners are blasting, for example. Plant closings and data center openings also impact prices. These costs end up on your electric bills.
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Full Circle Moment
OPC is excited to welcome back a familiar face to the leadership team. Eric Scott has returned to OPC to serve as Chief of Staff, reconnecting with the agency he knows well.
Eric was OPC’s Chief Operating Officer for nine years. Then three years ago, his career journey took him to Charlotte, North Carolina.
Now as Chief of Staff, Eric serves as the senior executive advisor to the People’s Counsel, providing guidance on administrative, operational, organizational, and strategic management matters. He also oversees the agency’s day-to-day operations, ensuring effective communication and collaboration among executive leadership, program divisions, and administrative teams.
Eric is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, North Carolina Central University School of Law. He also holds Executive Leadership Certification from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
Eric is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas. But spent part of his childhood in Charlotte.
In his spare time, Eric enjoys reading a good book, working out, and listening to music. Kayaking is one of his favorite pastimes.
As he settles into the OPC environment, we look forward to the leadership, experience, and fresh perspective he brings to his new position. Welcome back!
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OPC is Advocating for Consumers in the
Following Cases:
Formal Case No. 1176: Pepco's Application to Increase Rates through a Multiyear Rate Plan
OPC filed its brief with the D.C. Court of Appeals on October 26, requesting the Court order the PSC reinstate the electric rates from the prior rate increase case and to refund the current unlawful rates.
Formal Case No. 1179:
On September 29, OPC filed a post-hearing brief, after an evidentiary hearing. OPC asked the PSC to reject Washington Gas’s pipe replacement plan.
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OPC In Your Neighborhood
OPC welcomes opportunities to speak at your Advisory Neighborhood Commission, civic association, community group meeting or event. We can provide 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. For virtual meetings, contact the organizer for sign-on information. Below are scheduled events and appearances.
Winterhaven Homeless Veterans Stand Down
50 Irving Street NW
Saturday, November 7
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Bread for The City SE
1700 Marion Barry Avenue SE
Thursday, November 12
9 am - 2:30 pm
Public Service Commission Winter Ready DC
10th Anniversary
R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center
2730 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE
Wednesday, December 2
4:00 pm – 07:00 pm
| | There's plenty of good information and useful trinkets to put in your bag wherever you see an OPC table in your neighborhood. Here, OPC's Cheryl Morse speaks to a visitor at the United Planning Organization Community Fair at Holy Trinity United Baptist Church in Northeast. Call (202) 727-3071 to invite OPC to set up a table at your community event. | | OPC's Yohannes K. G. Mariam presents at a "Brown Bag Lunch & Learn." The Technical Services Division hosts the sessions for OPC staff to learn about various topics that will help them better serve consumers. This discussion was on PJM's impact on utility bills. See The Tech Connection article above. | | OPC's Chawndise Battle (left) at the Jobs Not Guns & Jobs Not Drugs Citywide Recruitment and Resource Fair at the St. Luke's Community Center in Southeast. | | Above and below, OPC hosts a "Poverty Simulation, A Day in Their Shoes." The event took place during OPC's Social Services Discussion, which brings together partner organizations to share information that will benefit their mutual constituents. In the simulation, OPC and agency staff role play as DC residents or service providers to understand the experiences of consumers who are struggling with utility bills and other household responsibilities. | | OPC staff showed off their favorite flannels, bringing fall vibes and smiles during the Human Resources Division's "Spirit Week." From left: Dennis Thomas, Getahun Seyoum, Angela Simmons, Cecilia Jones-Walker, Rakisha Philson, Quaneisha Glover, Jordan Bloomfield, and Isis Green. | | |
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 A. McCoy, Phillip Harmon, Quaneisha Glover,
Geraldine Featherson, Dwayne Houston,
Getahun Seyoum, Alya Solomon, Valca Valentine
Contributors:
Karen Sistrunk, Eric Scott, Laurence Daniels,
Antaeus Hayes, Sheila Ruffin, George C. Gilbert, Jr.,
Cheryl Morse, Rakisha Philson, Marchim Williams
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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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