The DCPSC encourages everyone to participate in Earth Day on April 22nd. Earth Day is every day! Everyone can take small steps to reduce their contribution to the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. By volunteering at various events on Earth Day and throughout the year, we can build a cleaner and stronger future for our city.
The DCPSC approved in part Pepco’s Application for a Transportation Electrification (TE) Program (Formal Case No. 1130, Order No. 19898). The DCPSC allowed Pepco to deploy infrastructure to support 55 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and additional infrastructure to support the charging of electric taxis, rideshare vehicles, and buses. This action fosters the expansion of a competitive EV charging market in the District, and helps to achieve the District’s clean energy plan and climate change commitments.
Additionally, the Order includes approval for the rollout of a Residential Time-of-Use rate for home EV charging, which will encourage the charging of EVs at off-peak hours — a critical element of any successful TE initiative.
The DCPSC will monitor these programs, as they are implemented, and study the effects of TE on the electric grid as the EV market expands.
The DCPSC has approved a pilot program to procure renewable energy through long-term purchase power agreements (PPAs) within the PJM Interconnection region. There is a target quantity of 5% of the District's Standard Offer Service (SOS) load, according to Order No. 19897 in Formal Case No. 1017. Pepco's SOS is the default electric supply service for consumers who do not choose their electric generation and transmission from a third-party (or competitive) supplier. Pepco purchases SOS electricity from wholesale suppliers through a competitive bidding process regulated by the DCPSC.
While starting small, the DCPSC is also taking direct action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by promoting the construction of new renewable energy generation within PJM. Nonetheless, this is just a start and the DCPSC is considering increasing the amount of renewable energy to be procured through long-term PPAs serving SOS in the future. Utilizing PPAs in this manner is consistent with Clean Energy DC, the District of Columbia Climate and Energy Action Plans and CleanEnergy DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018’s goal of a 50% reduction in GHG emissions by 2032.
April marks an important milestone for the MEDSIS (Modernizing the Energy Delivery System for Increased Sustainability) initiative as the draft MEDSIS working groups’ report was released to the public on Friday, April 12th.
For the past eight months, the six MEDSIS working groups met regularly to draft recommendations for DCPSC consideration to move grid modernization forward in the District.
During the meetings, working group members reviewed recommendations developed in previous meetings and heard proposals from several fellow stakeholders including: the Department of Energy and the Environment, Urban Ingenuity, DC Office of the People’s Counsel, Grid2.0, and DC Climate Action.
The MEDSIS report summarizes the process, findings, and lessons learned from the MEDSIS working groups that were initiated under DCPSC Order 19432 in Formal Case No. 1130.
A combined report from all six MEDSIS working groups, the report reflects the contributions of many individuals and organizations. These stakeholders worked tirelessly and collaboratively to provide the DCPSC with a valuable set of findings and recommendations intended to continue the District on its journey toward the MEDSIS vision.
The DCPSC is accepting public written comments on the draft recommendations until May 13th. Additionally, there will be a two-day joint working groups meeting held on April 25th and 26th in the Commission’s hearing Room to facilitate stakeholder and public input on the draft MEDSIS working group report.
Click here to read more about MEDSIS. Read the full draft MEDSIS working groups’ report here.
The DCPSC will conduct a follow-up Community Hearing on May 15, 2019 at 2 p.m. to allow Washington Gas Light Company (WGL) to update the public on its recent actions and future plans to address the community concerns articulated during the Commission’s February 6, 2019, Community Hearing on natural gas leaks (Formal Case No. 977). The Community Hearing will take place in the DCPSC's Hearing Room at 1325 G Street N.W., Suite 800.
In addition to WGL, the Office of the People’s Counsel, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, and interested persons are invited to make oral presentations.
WGL is requested to address issues such as:
• What communication channels has WGL established to communicate gas safety information to the public and to receive feedback? • What is WGL's plan for addressing the community concerns related to prompt communication with the public regarding neighborhood gas leaks and gas safety? • What actions should the public take or avoid in the event of a gas odor or when WGL is addressing a gas leak?
Those who wish to testify should contact the DCPSC's Office of the Commission Secretary by 5:30 PM on May 10, 2019 at: psc-commissionsecretary@dc.gov or call 202-626-5150.
Chairman Willie L. Phillips testified on budget matters before D.C. Council's Business and Economic Development Committee chaired by Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (Ward 5).
The Chairman reiterated the DCPSC's top priorities of Grid Modernization and Distributed Energy Resources, Infrastructure Investment, and Community Engagement with a focus on executing our priorities in a timely and quality manner.
The DCPSC is also committed to continuous improvement within the agency. Currently, the DCPSC is conducting a comprehensive organizational and management effectiveness review, with a focus on best practices. The DCPSC will also review its regulatory procedures and practices, which are codified in our regulatory agency rules.
"The DCPSC's goal is to be a “Best-in-Class” regulatory agency deploying best practices throughout the organization, while serving the public interest," stated Chairman Phillips.
To watch the budget oversight hearing, click here.
The DCPSC is a part of a Joint Multi-States filing urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to reconsider a recent decision that could result in significant disruptions in the wholesale electricity market and adversely impact the retail prices for electricity supplied to the District’s ratepayers.
The PJM Interconnection (PJM), the entity that manages the wholesale electricity market that serves the District, found in June 2018 that an energy trading company was in default on its Financial Transmission Rights Portfolio, a type of financial derivative product, and the loses would need to be recovered from other market participants.
FERC rejected the PJM’s proposal to liquidate the portfolio over time so as to mitigate market disruptions in January 2019.
On March 11, 2019, the DCPSC joined the Pennsylvania and Delaware Commissions in filing joint comments with FERC supporting the PJM's request for a stay or clarification of a FERC Order.
The DCPSC is monitoring the filing as it moves forward.
Click here to view the joint filing.
Mayor Bowser and the D.C. Council has joined the DCPSC in recognizing April as Safe Digging Month in the District.
There are nearly 20 million miles of underground utility lines in the United States. These buried facilities, including natural gas, water, sewer, cable TV, high-speed Internet, landline telephone and electric, provide the services Americans depend on for their basic everyday needs. Hitting a line can knock out service to your home and neighborhood or result in fines, damage and serious injury. Don’t make a judgment call – make the call to 811 every time you dig at least two business days in advance.
811 is a free call and connects a caller from anywhere in the country to the appropriate local one-call center, which in this area is the District One Call Center.
The District One Call Center will then alert the appropriate utility so they can dispatch locators to mark the approximate location of their underground utility lines with paint or flags.
Once the lines are marked, you know where you can safely dig.
Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants a call to 811. Learn more here.
Current and former DCPSC staff attended the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners' Open House on April 15th. Each year, NARUC hosts the Open House to allow Commissioners and their staff an opportunity to meet NARUC staff and tour their offices. NARUC represents the State public service commissions who regulate the utilities that provide essential services such as energy, telecommunications, power, water, and transportation. Their mission is to improve the quality and effectiveness of public utility regulation.
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