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A Note from Your
People's Counsel
Sandra Mattavous-Frye
Uncertain Times Demand Unwavering Advocacy
It’s an annual exercise District agencies engage in around this time to inform the DC Council and the public about our achievements, activities, and challenges of the past year. On February 26, I testified about OPC’s aggressive advocacy for DC utility consumers at our Fiscal Year 2024 Performance Oversight Hearing before the Committee on Business and Economic Development. I highlighted the significant cases pending before the Public Service Commission that OPC is litigating that will impact District households now and in the future. I also discussed how OPC will build on our work during the past year to achieve positive outcomes for consumers, despite the negative financial consequences pending rate increases might present. During these uncertain times, OPC will continue to advocate for safe and reliable utility services at just and reasonable rates.
I noted that consumer complaints against utilities are dramatically increasing, unfortunately, at a time when federal and local funding is decreasing. To address this trend, OPC is enhancing our outreach to make more consumers aware of assistance that will help them keep the lights on and the water running. My testimony touched on OPC’s progress toward educating the next generation of climate change and environmental justice advocates among DC youth. You can read my full testimony here.
The utility and energy sectors are undergoing seismic changes. Through it all, though, OPC will remain committed to its core mission of advocating, educating, and protecting consumers in the District of Columbia.
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Making You Aware of Measures to
Manage Pepco Bills
As many residents are struggling with huge increases in their electric bills, OPC is making sure Pepco customers know about the following information we received from Pepco. DC consumers can call OPC for referrals for bill payment assistance and we can help negotiate payment plans with the utility for you. Contact OPC at (202) 727-3071 or file a complaint here.
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Keeping You in the Loop
on Utility Matters
OPC continues to deploy new methods to keep consumers informed about the wide variety of utility issues affecting households, businesses, public services, and the environment. To complement our standard outreach and education tools like brochures, social media, and the OPC Connection, we are introducing videos explaining critical emerging issues.
This month, members of our legal staff summarize a few of the many cases OPC is working on.
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Laurence Daniels, Director of OPC's Litigation Services Division, introduces Attorneys Ade Adeniyi, to get you up to speed on the Washington Gas’ Project Pipes plan, Kinteshia Scott, on energy affordability, Ankush Nayar covers Pepco’s $186.5 M rate case and Knia Tanner shares the impact of a recent Public Service Commission decision on community solar.
OPC hopes these videos help you develop a deeper understanding of these issues. Call us at (202) 727-3071 or email info@opc-dc.gov if you'd like to learn more or invite an attorney to speak to your community group.
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Black History Month Spotlight:
Hazel R. O'Leary,
An Energy Pioneer
President Bill Clinton appointed Hazel R. O’Leary to serve as Secretary of Energy. Sworn into office on January 22, 1993, Secretary O’Leary served in the Clinton Administration through 1997. She was the first woman and first African American to head the Department of Energy.
A former assistant attorney general for the state of New Jersey, Secretary O’Leary also received presidential appointments in the Carter and Ford Administrations. Her oversight responsibilities included the regulation of petroleum, natural gas, and the electric industries, as well as conservation and environmental programs.
When OPC spoke with Secretary O’Leary for our newsletter in 1994, she shared several insights that have proven intuitive. Asked about the role of local governments in reducing energy consumption, she said, “The federal government is exercising leadership in energy efficiency and demonstrating that efficiency investments make good economic sense. Similar opportunities exist for state and local governments.”
Secretary O’Leary is credited with promoting energy-efficient technologies in the private and nonprofit sectors. Her successful advocacy for clean energy research and development is said to be at the root of our success, now two decades later, in adopting renewable solar and wind energy.
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The Water Connection
The Hidden Costs of Household Leaks:
Are You Throwing Money Down the Drain?
Let’s be honest—most of us don’t think twice about a little drip from the faucet or a toilet that runs a few extra seconds. But those small leaks add up fast. A single dripping faucet can waste over 3,000 gallons of water a year—that’s more than 50 full bathtubs! And if your toilet is constantly running, you could be losing 200 gallons a day without even realizing it. That’s not just bad for your water bill—it’s bad for the environment, too.
How to Tell If You Have a Leak
- Check Your Water Bill – If your bill is creeping up but your water habits haven’t changed, a hidden leak might be to blame.
- Test Your Toilet – Drop some food coloring into the tank. If the color seeps into the bowl without flushing, you’ve got a leak.
- Listen for Trouble – If you hear water running when no one is using it, that’s a sign of a leak.
- Look at Your Water Meter – Turn off everything that uses water, then check your meter. If it’s still moving, there’s a leak somewhere.
Fix It & Save!
The good news, most leaks are easy to fix. Replacing a worn-out flapper, tightening a pipe under the sink, or swapping out a washer can save thousands of gallons of water (and lower your bill!). Call a licensed plumber if you are not comfortable correcting these issues yourself.
Catching and fixing leaks doesn’t just save money—it helps conserve water for everyone. Need more tips? Reach out to OPC's Water Services Division.
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OPC is Advocating for Consumers in the
Following Cases:
Formal Case No. 1180: Washington Gas Light Company Rate Case Application
On January 24, OPC filed direct testimony in this matter.
Formal Case No. 1176: Pepco's Application for approval to increase rates through a Multiyear Rate Plan-the Climate Ready Pathway
On January 27, OPC filed comments on Pepco’s Draft Request for Proposals for a Utility Management Audit.
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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, and trends, and highlight how we serve DC consumers. Call (202) 727-3071 if your group would like our staff to make an onsite or virtual presentation.
Housing Expo
Mayor's Services Liaison Office
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue NW
Wednesday, March 19
9:30 am- 2:30 pm
Senior Zone Spa Day
Columbia Heights Recreation Center
1480 Girard Street NW
Thursday, March 20
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
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People's Counsel Sandra Mattavous-Frye and staff following OPC's performance oversight hearing at the DC Council. | |
Rakisha Philson, Pamela Nelson, CharQuia Barringtine, and Marchim Williams are on OPC's Wellness Committee which organized a staff healthy potluck lunch in recognition of the American Heart Association's Heart Month. | |
OPC's Cheryl Morse speaks at a meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4E at the LAMB Public Charter School in Northwest. | |
From right, OPC's Jason Starks and Charquia Barringtine with Geoffrey D. Brooks, Job Developer with Jobs Have Priority, Inc., at a resource fair the organization hosted in Ward 8. | |
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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
Contributors:
Sandra Mattavous-Frye, Karen Sistrunk, Laurence Daniels,
Ade Adeniyi, CharQuia Barringtine, Rusheeda Boyd,
Stephen Marencic, Ankush Nayar, Kinteshia Scott, Knia Tanner
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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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