Resistance grows to soaring Pepco bills
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Pepco is facing growing pressure across the DMV, as officials step in to protect customers while challenging rate increases.
Why it matters: As frustration with rising bills boils over, the utility says it needs to charge its Maryland customers more.
State of play: The D.C. Council recently approved an emergency bill temporarily halting some power shutoffs.
- Pepco would be barred from disconnecting the electricity of residents and businesses who have unpaid bills of $1,000 or less, says the bill's author, Council member Janeese Lewis George.
- As frontrunners in the mayor's race, Lewis George and former council member Kenyan McDuffie have pointed the finger at one another for the rate increases (see: Cuneyt's previous coverage of the Pepco blame game).
After steady increases over the years, a judge last month threw out Pepco's proposed rate hikes in D.C. for the coming years.
- The D.C. Court of Appeals ruled that the city's independent Public Service Commission (PSC) — which is tasked with making sure utilities are setting fair rates — did not follow the right process for approving Pepco's rate increases, Washington City Paper reported.
- While it doesn't immediately affect your bill, it could strengthen the hand of the PSC in fighting back against future rate increases.
Between the lines: Some Washingtonians have complained to the D.C. Council and Pepco that their bills have jumped hundreds of dollars.
- Pepco says it is "committed to working constructively" with the PSC and others "to reach an outcome that is fair, transparent, and in the best interest of customers," per the 51st News.
In Maryland, Pepco is asking for its largest rate increase in a decade for Montgomery and Prince George's counties, as reported by Baltimore Banner.
- If the state's independent regulators approve it, the average increase would be $11.73/month.
- Pepco wants the rate increase because it says it needs to fund repair and maintenance projects, including undergrounding cable lines to prevent storm-related disruptions.
- Maryland's independent Office of People's Counsel, which represents residential utility customers, is calling on regulators to reject the plan.
What's ahead: The public will get a chance to weigh in next week, when state regulators hold virtual hearings on the proposed rate hike.