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A Note from Your
People's Counsel
Sandra Mattavous-Frye
Civic Engagement is Everyone's Responsibility
The headline above was the theme of the 92nd Annual Awards Luncheon and Scholarship Celebration hosted by the DC Federation of Civic Associations on October 4. OPC can appreciate the thought behind the theme because in our work on behalf of DC utility consumers, engaging with key community partners bolsters our mission to advocate, educate, and protect residents. The DCFCA rises to the top of the list of partners as its engaging leaders share the same goals of serving communities across the city.
OPC is also grateful for individuals like Shirley Price of the United Planning Organization. At the DCFCA event, OPC was pleased to present Price with the 2025 Consumer Advocate Award. Price, UPO's Senior Community Liaison, serves as a critical link between OPC and consumers who need financial assistance to keep their utilities running. Price has been with UPO for 34 years and has been a dedicated and committed OPC partner over the decades.
Congratulations to Dr. Mary L. Gaffney, Federation President, and other association leaders, organizations, and individuals like Shirley Price who willingly take on the responsibility of engagement to improve the lives of DC consumers.
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OPC Consumer Services Director Linda Jefferson (2nd from left) presents Shirley Price with the OPC Consumer Advocate Award.
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PSC Opens Investigation into Power Outage in Wards 3 and 4 after OPC's Request
District residents impacted by the August 1–2 power outage in Wards 3 and 4 received welcome news last week. In an October 22 order, (Formal Case No.1185, Order No. 22728) the DC Public Service Commission granted OPC's petition calling for an inquiry into the cause and handling of the outage and it opened a formal investigation into Pepco’s restoration of electric service during that event.
The outage occurred when a tree fell on a power line. However, many residents reported far more serious consequences — including voltage surges that damaged appliances, air conditioners, and electrical panels. OPC’s request for an investigation was supported by several affected customers, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3/4G, and Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George.
In approving OPC’s petition, the Commission said the reports of continued electrical surges after service restoration raised “serious questions” about Pepco’s restoration practices and communications with customers. The PSC will now examine whether Pepco’s actions met its legal obligation to provide safe, adequate, and reliable service to District consumers. The investigation will focus on four key issues:
- The cause of the voltage surges
- The timeliness and safety of Pepco’s response to downed wires
- The adequacy of restoration procedures to prevent future damage
- Pepco’s claims process and liability determinations, including its use of “act of God” defenses.
This decision marks an important step toward transparency and accountability.
Should the Commission hold a hearing in this matter, OPC will inform the public of the details and any opportunities to provide testimony.
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Connection Conversations
OPC has launched “Connection Conversations,” a series of discussions among staff to inform consumers of key energy and utility issues. In this edition, OPC Director of Litigation Laurence Daniels and Assistant People’s Counsels Ankush Nayar and Kintéshia Scott delve into the rising cost of utility rates. See the conversation here.
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The DC Council Connection
OPC wants you to know about key legislative action designed to support utility consumers and protect the environment.
Providing Water Bill Relief
Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen has introduced the DC Water Billing and Disconnection Modernization Amendment Act of 2025, which aims to significantly overhaul the billing, collection, and service disconnection policies of DC Water. The key points of the bill focus on customer relief, tenant protection, modernization of collection processes, and increased oversight. OPC helped to draft the bill for the benefit of water consumers.
Sharing Funding for Clean Rivers
The Clean Rivers Impervious Area Charge (CRIAC), authorized by the Council in 2009, is the primary funding mechanism for the Clean Rivers Project. This federally mandated project modernizes the city’s combined sewer system to prevent sewer overflows that pollute District waterways. The charge is based on a property's impervious surfaces, like roofs and parking lots, because these surfaces do not allow water to flow through and generate substantial stormwater runoff. DC residents also pay the CRIAC on their DC Water bills.
Two pending lawsuits challenge DC Water’s ability to charge property owners who are not directly connected to the sewer system CRIAC fees. While these properties may lack a sewer connection, they still generate runoff that contributes to the system's overflow problems. To ensure equity and protect the funding stream, the Council has passed emergency legislation. Now under mayoral review, the measure will solidify DC Water's longtime authority to impose CRIAC fees on all properties that contribute to runoff, as the Council originally intended.
Seeking Utility Assistance Benefits
In the RFK Stadium bill, Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White introduced and secured passage of an amendment requiring the creation of a utility assistance fund as part of the community benefits agreement.
Promoting Sustainable, Affordable Housing
At-large Councilmember Robert White recently introduced the "Green Housing Coordination Emergency Amendment Act of 2025” to advance environmental standards in subsidized housing projects. This legislation mandates that all new housing developments of 50,000 square feet or more that receive subsidies from the city’s Housing Production Trust Fund meet rigorous green building requirements.
This bill is designed to ensure new affordable housing is both sustainable and energy efficient, reducing operating costs for residents and supporting the city's climate goals.
Launching the DC Bottle Deposit Program
Beverage containers, especially plastic bottles, are continuing to pollute the Anacostia River and clog landfills. Contamination in the current recycling system often sends these containers to the incinerator, which is why Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau says she introduced the "Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Amendment Act of 2025." This bill establishes a recycling program where consumers pay 10 cents for applicable bottle purchases and are refunded the fee upon returning the container. Similar state programs have dramatically increased recycling and reduced litter.
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The Water Connection
ICYMI: A Conservation Call to Action
In case you missed it, OPC hosted a Community Water Summit: Your Water, Your Power, on September 29 at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library. We continue to have conversations about next steps to ensure the dialogue at the summit is more than just a moment in time. OPC and partners continue to focus on clean water system access, efficiency, sustainability, and equity.
At one of the panels entitled “Greener Blocks, Cleaner Water-Conservation & Protection,” there was a clear call to action. OPC’s overarching goal is to empower consumers. With that said, below is information on some of the participating organizations whose representatives spoke about community empowerment on the conservation panel. See it here.
The DC Chapter of the Sierra Club guides DC residents to respect the outdoors and works to ensure sustainability in projects like the RFK Stadium site.
The RiverSmart Homes program under the Department of Energy & Environment works with homeowners to reduce pollution runoff from their properties. RiverSmart also spearheads a rainwater collection program.
Nature Forward DC exposes youth to nature and how their lives impact nature and vice versa. A sustainable future starts with education focused on sustainability and balance.
OPC thanks these and other panelists for joining the Water Summit, collaborating, and educating the community about water conservation efforts. We encourage everyone to pitch in and to do their part to create a sustainable and efficient water future in the District of Columbia.
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OPC is Advocating for Consumers in the
Following Cases:
Formal Case No. 1182: Investigation into the Implementation of Integrated Distribution System Planning for Electric Utilities
On October 7, OPC filed a Proposed Roadmap for the Integrated Distribution System Planning Working Group.
RM40-2024-01-E, 15 DCMR Chapter 40: District of Columbia Small Generator Interconnection Rules
On October 7, OPC filed a Motion for Leave to File Comments Out of Time and Comments on the PSC August 22, 2025, Fourth Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
RM40-2025-01-E, 15 DCMR Chapter 40: District of Columbia Small Generator Interconnection Rules
On October 14, OPC filed Initial Comments in this matter.
Formal Case No. 1179: Investigation into Washington Gas Light Company’s Strategically Targeted Pipe Replacement Plan
On October 14, OPC filed a Supplemental Testimony.
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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.
Winterhaven Homeless Veterans Stand Down
DC VA Medical Center
50 Irving Street NW
Saturday, November 1
8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Ward 4 Fall Pop-Up
16th Street Heights and Crestwood Triangle Park
18th and Argyle Terrance NW
Wednesday, November 5
4:00 pm- 6:00 pm
Veteran Affairs Renter Rights
1500 Franklin Street NE
Thursday, November 6
10:30 am - 2:00 pm
Ward 4 Fall Pop-Up
Takoma and Manor Park
4th Street between Van Buren and Underwood
Friday, November 7
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Ward 4 Fall Pop-Up
Riggs Park, South Manor, and Lamond
501 Riggs Road NW
Thursday, November 13
4:00 pm- 6:00 pm
| | OPC's Linda Jefferson (above second from left) with breast cancer survivors at the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Breast Cancer Awareness Walk at Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church in Ward 7. Below left is OPC's Jean Gross-Bethel with other participants. | | OPC's CharQuia Barringtine shares utility consumer brochures at the Housing Resource Fair sponsored by At-Large Councilmember Robert White at THEARC in Ward 8. A visitor stops by the OPC table below. | OPC's Doxie McCoy, above left with Cynthia McIver of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World at the Bridging Resources in Communities Wellness and Prevention Walk at the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy in Ward 7. Below are several others who came out in Recognition of Red Ribbon Week, a national drug use prevention campaign. | | |
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,
Sheila Ruffin, Linda Jefferson,
CharQuia Barringtine, Jean Gross-Bethel, Jason Starks
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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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