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Calling All Young People!
Heads up young DC residents, families, educators, and youth groups: OPC invites high school students and young adults to join us for the “Next Gen Climate Con: Building the Next Generation of Environmental Advocates.” On Saturday, September 26, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at DC Water’s Southeast Headquarters, OPC will host a day of learning, conversation, and action.
Climate change is shaping our communities, our future, and a growing number of careers. Next Gen Climate Con is designed to give young people a better understanding of these issues, discover ways to raise their voices, and explore the roles they can play in creating a more sustainable future for the District and beyond.
Throughout the day, attendees will participate in engaging sessions focused on:
*Climate Change 101 — Learn the basics of climate change, why it matters, and how it impacts our communities.
*Climate Advocacy & Social Engagement — Learn how young people can raise awareness, organize, and inspire action in their schools and communities.
*Jobs & Education — Explore educational pathways and career opportunities in climate, sustainability, environmental advocacy, and related fields.
Next Gen Climate Con is part of OPC’s continuing efforts to educate District youth about important issues that impact their households and communities. In April 2023 at Catholic University, hundreds of young people came out to our first youth climate summit. In October 2024, high schoolers attended a 2-day advocacy workshop in OPC offices; and in December 2025, OPC launched an adopt-a-school program with Anacostia High School.
Now with the Next Gen Climate Con, OPC is doubling down on informing and empowering young DC residents. Get more details and register on this Eventbrite link: https://opc-climate-con.eventbrite.com/. See you on September 26!
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OPC and OAG Fight Outdated Energy Charge
The Office of the People’s Counsel and the DC Office of the Attorney General recently jointly filed comments with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, urging the agency to eliminate an outdated charge that allows utilities to receive additional return on equity for working within regional transmission organizations such as PJM Interconnection. PJM is the RTO that coordinates the movement of electricity to the District and 13 states to ensure your lights stay on. The two DC agencies argue that because utilities like Pepco are already required by law to participate in regional transmission organizations, there is no need to incentivize them to do so.
OPC and OAG point out that eliminating this unnecessary charge is in the best interest of District ratepayers as they already pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country and get approximately 95 percent of their power from imports. View more information here.
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The Water Connection
Collaborating for Consumers
Assistance for utility bills can be difficult to find, particularly when existing programs have limited funding. If you are struggling with utility bills, OPC's Water Services Division encourages residents to explore community-based resources available in their ward.
For example, DC’s Family Support Collaboratives work directly with families to help address their individual needs. In addition to potential financial assistance, the collaboratives offer a wide range of services, such as case management, violence prevention and intervention, and parental support.
These organizations can help address immediate needs while paving the way toward greater financial stability-- and the best part is that they can be found right in your own community. OPC partners with the following collaboratives to assist utility consumers.
Wards 1–3
Collaborative Solutions for Communities
(Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative)
3333 14th Street NW, Suite 200
(202) 518-6737
Ward 4
Georgia Avenue Family Support Collaborative
4420 Georgia Avenue NW
(202) 722-1815
Wards 5 & 6
Edgewood/Brookland Family Support Collaborative
601 Edgewood Street NE, Suite 25
(202) 832-9400
Ward 7
East River Family Strengthening Collaborative
4020 Minnesota Avenue NE, Suite 100
(202) 397-7300
Ward 8
Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative
2006 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE
(202) 889-1425
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The Partner Connection
Don’t Get Caught Upgrading Without DCSEU
Apply for Rebates Before September 30
Have you upgraded your home this year? If you replaced an appliance, upgraded your heating and cooling system, or switched from gas to electric equipment, you may be eligible for up to $15,000 in rebates through the DC Sustainable Energy Utility.
With rising energy costs placing added pressure on household budgets, DCSEU rebates can help make energy-efficient and electric home upgrades more affordable while helping residents save energy and support the District’s clean energy goals.
To take advantage of current rebate opportunities, residents must complete eligible purchases and installations, gather required documentation, and submit their applications by September 30. This deadline aligns with the end of DCSEU’s fiscal year.
Because DCSEU programs operate on an annual funding cycle, rebate amounts are not guaranteed from one fiscal year to the next. Residents planning larger projects, including HVAC or electrical upgrades, should contact the DCSEU as early as possible if their installation may extend beyond September 30.
Learn more about eligible equipment and submit your rebate application today at dcseu.com/rebates.
For updates on available programs and future opportunities, sign up for the DCSEU’s residential newsletter at dcseu.com#newsletter.
This article was contributed by the DC Sustainable Energy Utility
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The Tech Connection
RPS 101
Every electric consumer in the District of Columbia helps pay for the city's shift to renewable energy. The reason is a DC law called the Renewable Portfolio Standard, or RPS, which took effect in 2005. It requires over time that every company selling electricity to District customers acquire a growing share of that power from sources such as solar and wind generation. The goal is to foster cleaner air and less climate pollution.
The share has increased each year toward a target of 100 percent of renewable energy supply in 2032. Additionally, a portion of this renewable energy must come from solar panels. Each year, suppliers must prove they are following the law either by supplying electricity from renewable sources or by turning in certificates called Renewable Energy Credits to the DC Public Service Commission, which enforces the regulation.
Suppliers that don’t meet the RPS requirement must pay a penalty. The penalties are passed on to ratepayers, and these costs accounted for about 15 percent of an average residential electric bill in 2025.
You won’t see a separate line for RPS fees on your electric bill, but it's included in electricity prices. The cost of meeting the RPS target has grown from about $20 a year in 2007, to roughly $240 a year in 2025.
When electric bills rise due to multiple factors, consumers don't always know the reasons. The bigger drivers for higher utility bills are actually generation and transmission costs, which cover the costs of purchasing electricity and moving it to utility companies for distribution to local customers. But unless RPS costs are managed, they may become a bigger contributor to higher bills.
As DC lawmakers continue to fine-tune the RPS law, OPC is conducting a study of the impact of solar rules. The study is expected to be completed next year.
In a future article, we will look at the solar components of this law and how residents who go solar can earn and sell their credits to lower their electric bills.
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OPC is Advocating for Consumers in the
Following Cases:
Formal Case No. 1176: Pepco's Application for Approval to Raise Rates through a Multiyear Rate Plan.
On August 14, OPC filed a Motion to Stay with the D.C. Court of Appeals. OPC’s motion requests that the Court stop the PSC from allowing Pepco to continue charging rates that the Court found to be invalid.
Formal Case No. GD-2019-04: Implementation of the 2019 Clean Energy DC Omnibus Act Compliance Requirements.
On August 3, OPC filed a Response to PSC Commissioner Richard Beverly’s Inquiry into the U.S. Department of Energy Benefit-Cost Analysis Framework and Transitions to OpenBCA Standards. OpenBCA is a free, open-source desktop application that provides a transparent, standardized framework for evaluating the benefits and costs of grid-edge resources based on the National Standard Practice Manual.
OPC agrees with Commissioner Beverly’s assessment that a cost analysis could raise some procedural issues. This matter involves the District of Columbia’s efforts to address climate change.
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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.
Anacostia High School Back to School Night
1601 16th Street SE
Wednesday, September 9
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Bread For The City SE
1700 Marion Barry Avenue SE
Thursdays, September 10 & September 24
9:00 am - 2:30 pm
Veterans Affairs Resource Center
1500 Franklin Street NE
Thursday, September 10
10:00 am - 2:30 pm
AARP & Department of Aging and Community Living Health Fair
Southwest Waterfront
Wednesday, September 16
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
| | OPC's Cheryl Morse at the Unity in the Community Fair at Union Wesley AME Zion Church in Northeast. Below with Cheryl, from left, Doxie McCoy of OPC; and Sharelle Stagg and Treneisha Jones Gaston of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Rho Mu Omega Chapter. Treneisha was the fair coordinator for Union Wesley | | |
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,
Chawndise Battle, Dwayne Houston,
Getahun Seyoum, Alya Solomon, Valca Valentine
Contributors:
Karen Sistrunk, Laurence Daniels, Sheila Ruffin,
Yohannes K. G. Mariam, Cheryl Morse, Claire Shibelski
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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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