August 2025


A Note from Your

People's Counsel

Sandra Mattavous-Frye



Your Water, Your Power 


"Power to the People” is an iconic slogan that has been used in various social and cultural movements. Seasoned readers might remember the song of the same name that the late great Beatle, John Lennon, recorded in the 70s, similar lyrics by the “Godfather of Soul,” James Brown, or political adaptations tied to the Black Panther Party, for example. I could go on and on citing the various uses and interpretations of the powerful phrase.


For OPC’s purposes, allow me to bring to your attention the “OPC Community Water Summit: Your Water, Your Power.” That’s what's happening on Monday, September 29, from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. And all DC consumers are invited to the event at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, located at 901 G Street NW.


This OPC Community Water Summit is designed to empower DC residents with the knowledge and tools to be “water smart consumers.” Expert speakers will discuss how residents can take advantage of water bill payment assistance, conserve water to reduce bills, prevent water leaks, and address water affordability challenges, among other topics.


There will be interactive sessions and practical lessons to help consumers make informed decisions about their utility usage and services.


Don’t miss out on this powerful information, plus get give-a-ways, swag, and free lunch!


Mark your calendars for September 29 and register now on Eventbrite.com.




OPC Fights Back Against WGL's Big Rate Hike Plan





On Thursday, August 14, the DC Public Service Commission held a one-day evidentiary hearing in Formal Case No. 1180, Washington Gas Light's request to increase DC residential rates by $45.6 million. OPC maintains that if the Commission were to grant any rate increase to WGL, it should be limited to no more than $9.42 million. Please take a look at our fact sheet here.

 

Since WGL proposed the significant rate hike about a year ago, OPC has stated that WGL has not placed on the record sufficient evidence to justify a rate increase of this size. At OPC's request, in April 2025, the PSC held three public hearings in this matter. The PSC's scheduling required the public to speak on the numerous complex issues contained in this case without the benefit of learning from a formal evidentiary hearing, in which the company would have presented witnesses to testify under oath. 

 

OPC encourages you to watch the video of WGL's presentation at the evidentiary hearing and questioning by OPC attorneys and lawyers for other stakeholders to develop your own opinion. 


You can add written testimony to the Commission record by sending correspondence to:


Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia 

1325 G Street NW, Suite 800 

Washington, D.C. 20005


Or submit comments online at:

https://edocket.dcpsc.org/public/public_comments  


The Commission is expected to issue a decision on the rate increase by December.



Higher and Higher: Understanding Your Electric Bill 





If you are asking why your electric bill is higher than you might expect, OPC wants you to know a couple of reasons why. Blame it on a recent Pepco rate increase and the cost of wholesale electricity purchased in a recent PJM capacity auction. As OPC Connection readers may recall, PJM is the regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of electricity to the District and 13 states. PJM purchases additional power to balance the electrical needs of customers across many jurisdictions.  

 

It's somewhat complicated to a layperson. But OPC Attorney Ankush Nayar and Economist Yohannes Mariam help to break it down in an article in The 51st news publication about how both events are causing bills to increase and what OPC is doing to protect DC consumers.


Follow OPC on Social!

Are you “going social” with the Office of the People’s Counsel? Checking in to OPC’s social media pages is a good way to get updates on the services we provide to DC consumers, information on our events, and the latest utility and energy news. Here’s where to follow:  


Facebook.com/DCPeoplesCounsel 

Instagram: @DCOPC  

X: @DCOPC 

LinkedIn.com/officeofhepeoplescounsel  

YouTube.com



OPC is Advocating for Consumers in the

Following Cases:



Formal Case No. 1167: Implementation of the Climate Business Plan.

On July 25, OPC filed Comments on the Notice of Inquiry. In the comments, OPC asked about best practices by regulators and jurisdictions and asked DOEE questions.


Formal Case No. 1180, The Washington Gas Light Company Rate Case Application

On July 25, OPC filed Conformed Direct Testimony and Exhibits, Conformed Rebuttal Testimony, and Conformed Surrebuttal Testimony and Exhibits.


On July 29, OPC filed a List of the Parties’ Stipulation, the Number of Witnesses, and the Nature of their Testimony in a Joint Witness Cross-Examination Matrix, Admissions, and a List of Authenticated Documents.


On August 13, OPC filed Data Response Exhibits for Admission into the Record for the Evidentiary Hearing.


On August 14, OPC filed Cross-Examination Exhibits for the Evidentiary Hearing.


Formal Case No. 1183: Investigation into The Impact of The PJM Capacity Auction and the Establishment of the PJM Capacity Auction Task Force.

On July 31, OPC filed the Phase 1 PJM Capacity Auction Task Force Report.


Formal Case No. 1119: The Joint Application of Exelon Corporation, Pepco Holdings, Inc., Potomac Electric Power Company, Exelon Energy Delivery Company, LLC, and New Special Purpose Entity, LLC for Authorization and Approval of Proposed Merger Transaction.

On July 31, OPC filed initial comments on Pepco’s 2025 Annual Consolidated Report.


PEPRADR2025: Potomac Electric Power Company Residential Aid Compliance Reports and Filings

On August 11, OPC filed Comments in Response to the Public Service Commission’s Notice of Proposed Tariff for Pepco's Compliance Filing and Proposal regarding its Residential Aid Discount Surcharge. OPC requests that the PSC reject the filing so that Pepco can clarify its calculation methodologies.


Formal Case No. 1176: Pepco’s Application for Approval to Increase Rates, through the Implementation of a Multiyear Rate Plan

On August 13, OPC filed its opening brief at the DC Court of Appeals in response to the Commission’s decision in the Pepco rate increase case.

 

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 on site or virtual presentation. These are scheduled events and appearances.



North Woodridge Citizens Organization Meet & Greet in the Park

1731 Bunker Hill Road NE

Wednesday, September 10

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm


Office of the Tenant Advocate Summit

899 North Capitol Street NE

Saturday, September 13

9:00 am - 4:00 pm



Back To School Block Party

Jackson-Reed High School

3950 Chesapeake Street NW 

Saturday, September 13

11:00 am - 2:00 pm


 Anacostia High School Back to School Night

1601 16th Street SE

Thursday, September 18

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm



Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency

CSOSA Rhode Island Avenue Field Site

910 Rhode Island Avenue NE

Tuesday, September 23

10:00 am - 1:00 pm

 

Photo Gallery

People's Counsel Sandra Mattavous-Frye on "Good Morning Washington," discussing OPC services with ABC 7's Kidd O'Shea. See the interview here.

OPC Consumer Outreach Specialist Cheryl Morse speaks with a consumer at a DC government agency resource pop up in the Brightwood neighborhood, hosted by Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George. 

OPC Consumer Outreach Specialists Jason Starks and CharQuia Barringtine (below right), speak with residents at the Jobs Have Priority, Inc. job fair in Ward 8. 

OPC Public Information Officer Doxie McCoy (right) with Michelle Singletary, who writes the "The Color of Money" column in the Washington Post. Singletary moderated a panel on detecting scams at the Convention of the National Association of Black Journalists.

 

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.

 


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, CharQuia Barringtine, Yohannes Mariam,

Cheryl Morse, Ankush Nayar



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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