A comprehensive resource page provided by the DCPSC is helping to guarantee that consumers and businesses in the District have access to safe and reliable utility service during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The page provides a summary of all government operations, utility response efforts and the Commission’s decisions, and is updated as soon as new information becomes available. The DCPSC is also playing an active role in supporting the Mayor, the D.C. Council and local health officials.
The resource page includes information on several pending utility-related initiatives, including utility disconnections and re-connections, waiver of late fees, a moratorium on door-to-door marketing from energy suppliers and more.
Visit the COVID-19 resource page at dcpsc.org/coronavirus.aspx.
The DCPSC has approved lower rates for residential and small commercial consumers receiving electricity through Pepco Standard Offer Service (SOS), beginning June 1, 2020.
Bills for the average SOS residential customer will decrease by about $1.98 per month and those for the average small commercial SOS customer will decrease by about $2.17 for the use of 1,602 kWh/month.
SOS is the default electricity service for customers who have not chosen to purchase electricity from a licensed competitive electric supplier. The lower electricity rates are the result of a competitive auction for electricity supply held on Dec. 9, 2019, and Jan. 6, 2020.
Learn more about SOS and the customer choice program for competitive electric suppliers online or call (202) 626-5120.
A pilot program approved by the DCPSC will procure a long-term renewable energy purchase power agreement (PPA) for 5% of the District's Standard Offer Service (SOS) procurement portfolio. There is a target quantity of 5% of the SOS load (Formal Case No. 1017).
As the administrator of the SOS program, Pepco purchases SOS electricity from wholesale suppliers through a competitive bidding process regulated by the Commission.
“Through this Order, the Commission is taking direct action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by promoting the construction of new renewable energy generation facilities within the PJM Interconnection region,” stated Chairman Willie Phillips. “Utilizing PPAs in this manner is consistent with the District’s Climate Change and Energy Action Plans and the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018’s climate change commitment of a 50% reduction in GHG emissions by 2032 and carbon neutrality by 2050 and meeting the 100% Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard in 2032.”
The DCPC is accepting public comment on the Climate Business Plan for Washington, D.C. from AltaGas and Washington Gas. Filed with the DCPSC on March 16th, the plan explains how the companies will help the District achieve a 50% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2032 and 100% carbon neutrality by 2050. Users can file comments online under “Formal Case No. 1142.”
For questions or assistance submitting public comments, email the Commission Secretary or call (202) 626-5150. The public notice is available on our website.
The DCPSC issued the first of a series of Orders in its grid modernization proceeding, Power Path DC, formerly known as MEDSIS (Formal Case No. 1130, Order No. 20286).
The Power Path DC program ensures that the District’s energy delivery system remains safe, reliable and affordable while also becoming more sustainable, resilient and secure. Power Path DC is also linked to the District’s energy and climate action policies as articulated in the District’s clean energy, climate and sustainability plans.
"This initial Order outlines the critical next steps to achieve the Power Path DC vision," said Chairman Willie L. Phillips. "Our strategic vision includes customer-focused distribution system planning, clean and renewable energy supply, microgrids, innovative rate design and grid modernization pilot projects.”
Learn more about the Power Path DC stakeholder process.
A “Fight Utility Scams” Virtual Town Hall hosted by the D.C. Chapter of AARP and the DCPSC on March 12 shared common and new utility scams as well as tips to help consumers stay safe. The live event featured (from left to right) DCPSC Chairman Willie L. Phillips and Pepco President Donna Cooper. Peter Rankin, Associate State Director for AARP DC (seated right) served as the moderator.
“We’re excited to work with AARP DC to raise awareness and educate customers about utility scams which cost the average consumer $500. We want utility consumers to know the red flags of a scam and where to turn for help — the Commission is one of those resources," said Phillips.
The DCPSC “Fight Utility Scams” website provides utility consumers with information, videos and resources on how to avoid utility scams over the phone, online or in-person. The AARP Fraud Watch Network and helpline — (877) 908-3360 — also works to prevent utility scams through free “watchdog alerts" and a scam-tracking map.
The United States has conducted a Census every decade since 1790 to collect basic information about residents and determine how to allocate the now roughly $1.5 trillion in federal spending.
Census-derived data is used in the public utility sector to, among other things, determine parameters of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. This program helps families pay heating bills and assists with repairs to furnaces, insulation and weatherization costs. Utilities may also use Census data to assist in load forecasting.
The DCPSC Office of Consumer Services is augmenting its regular outreach this year to help boost participation in the census and provide educational materials to consumers about what it is and how it's conducted. As part of the DCPSC’s on-going initiative to combat utility scams, outreach personnel will also educate consumers about census scams, including phishing emails encouraging people to click on phony links or calls requesting personal information like social security numbers.
The Census Bureau has extended the deadline to complete this year's census to Aug. 14, 2020, due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Individuals are strongly encouraged to submit their form online.
The DCPSC is excited to announce that in the last quarter, five new staff members have joined our agency (from left to right):
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Kirsten Williams — Deputy Executive Director, Office of Administrative Matters
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Ralea Roberts — Executive Assistant, Office of Administrative Matters
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Jason Cross — Economist, Office of Technical and Regulatory Analysis
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Steven Schwark — Public Affairs Specialist, Office of External Affairs
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Isabella Cotrupi — Program Analyst, Office of Policy and Development
Congratulations to all of the new hires!
For Women’s History Month, former DCPSC Commissioner Greer Johnson Gillis (fifth from left) was the guest speaker at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) Women EmPowering Women Employee Resource Group. The event had a great turnout as well as a discussion on finding mentors and never saying no to an opportunity. FERC Commissioner Bernard McNamee (fourth from left) also joined the group for the event.
From Feb. 8th to 13th, DCPSC Attorney Milena Yordanova (third from left) participated in a consulting partnership exchange sponsored by USAID between NARUC and the Tanzanian’s Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The exchange focused on natural gas quality of service standards, performance measures and enforcement.
Through the partnership, EWURA sought to determine the level of compliance of regulated entities with respect to natural gas quality of service standards. Through presentations, discussions and exchange of lessons learned from applying various regulatory mechanisms, the consulting partnership helped EWURA assess the best strategy for its natural gas system expansion, regulation of natural gas service and enforcement of standards.
The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) held its annual Winter Policy Summit in Washington, D.C., from Feb 9-12. The summit covered a wide range of policy issues relevant to state utility regulators as well as stakeholder groups and federal regulators.
As Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Supplier and Workforce Diversity, DCPSC Chairman Willie L. Phillips (left) guided a panel at the conference on labor and workforce diversity as well as the certification process for minority-owned businesses. A representative from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) also addressed issues important to the union’s minority members, various programs offered by IBEW and how to develop the next generation of trade workers across all sectors.
Former DCPSC Commissioner Greer Johnson Gillis (center) co-moderated a panel on successful approaches to energy affordability challenges where panelists shared how their programs help low- and moderate-income customers receive value from a clean energy future and do not get left behind. Managing Director of the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU), Ted Trabue (right) was a panelist. He spoke DCSEU’s externship program, which offers five-month paid clean energy training programs for unemployed/underemployed DC residents with contractors. DCPSC Commissioner Richard Beverly (left) also attended the panel event.
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