OPINION
Author: Ronald Bethea Published: 8/14/2026 PCPC Online Digital Podcast -Radio-TV Network
Chairman Emile C. Thompson 
Commissioner Ted Trabue
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What’s the Real Reason for the Resignation of Chairman DCPSC ?
I have chosen this topic and subject matter for today’s show. I received a telephone call from Ted Trabue who is currently serving on the DCPSC commission here in Washington DC. First let me be clear I have known Commissioner Ted Trabue for over ten years, and I am very aware of the outstanding jobs. Both Chairman Emile Thompson and Commissioner Ted Trabue and his work at DCSEU as he led that organization for over a decade.
What more important is looking at that fact that DCPSC is only comprised of only 3-member commission all African American. Looking at the fact that there are 207 public service commissioners serving on Public Service Commission across the entire United States we only have 15 African Americans serving in this capacity representing 7.2 percent.
Commissioner Ted Trabue informed me that Mayor Bowser submitted both commissioners to the D.C. Council. But the reasons involving Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George and Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen blame these two commissioners
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• For the PJM historic price jump which occurred in the 2025/2026 delivery year saw prices skyrocketing from $28.92 to $269.92 per megawatt-day 900% for 2025/2026 delivery year the capacity cost to consumers is projected to reach $14.17 billion, up from $2.2 billion in the previous auction.
• PJM Interconnection (usually just called “PJM”) is the organization responsible for operating the electric system (“grid”) supplying power to 67 million people who live in 13 states and The District of Columbia.
• The $329.17 for delivery year 2026/2027 arrived from the class action lawsuit brought by Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania is already maxed out in all 13 states and District of Columbia totaling $16 billion in capacity cost passed through to 67 million rate payers.
• PJM historic price jump which occurred in the 2025/2026 delivery year saw prices skyrocketing from $28.92 to $269.92 per megawatt-day 900% for 2025/2026 delivery year the capacity cost to consumers is projected to reach $14.17 billion, up from $2.2 billion in the previous auction.
• Soaring Demand from Data Centers: The PJM 13 states and District of Columbia there are 550 to 600 Data Centers with the state of Virgina leading the way with over 300 Data Centers already online. With cost to 67,000.00 utility ratepayers across the 13-state region was $ 9.3 billion and data centers accounted for 63% of the total price rise in 2025/2026 delivery year.
This is the actual statement taken from Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George website Platform.
It quite interesting that Tommy Wells who served on the DC city council and was appointed Mayor Bowser and served as the Director of DOEE in our nation’s capital. While serving in that capacity Commissioner Ted Trabue worked their ass off and installed nearly eleven hundred solar PV systems on LMI income residents’ homes in wards all over our nation’s capital. And developed enough micro-grid projects to enroll over 11,000.00 LMI residents into DC’s community solar subscription program.
Working with Groundwell DCSEU many of our Black Churches in our nation capitol where able to get solar systems on the roof tops. This is all documented on my website at www.positivechangepc.com. Please look under video gallery and look for DC SOLAR STORIES EP1 Solar for All.
The reason why I am aware of these facts is because I worked closely with Ms. Anna Schoolsman organization Solar United Neighbors, getting LMI residents across all 8 wards of our nation capital. I was able to help a substantial number of LMI residents get $30,000 PV systems installed on their home and the did not have to pay a dime out of pocket. My company The Positive Change Purchasing never received a dime for our time and energy.
On Saturday February 9th, 2019, I was presented with the Solar Ambassador Award by Solar United Neighbors formerly known as DC SUN. For being an outstanding advocate for advancing solar energy in The District and supporting homeowners and community members as they made the decision to go solar.
I personally interviewed Tommy Wells on my podcast “Solar Now and The Future with its Economic Impact on Black America”. I asked Director Tommy Wells then Directly. Why isn’t The Department of Energy and Environment spending money with black owned media. He admitted that DOEE to do a better job on community engagement. I attended ninety percent ninety percent of DC SUN community meetings across all 8 wards. DC SUN did an outstanding job around community engagement.
Under Tommy Wells leadership would not spend enough money with black talk radio and black on newspapers.
To help DC SUN get community participation numbers up at their different meetings. I asked Tommy Wells while doing my podcast interview with him. Why did he cancel the contract with DC Sun which provided education and community engagement. “His direct response DC SUN did not get enough DC LMI residents to sign for the DC Solar for All program.
I think the fact that Tommy Wells is the campaign Manager for Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George for Mayor and Charles Allen ward 6 council member. Opposed the appointment of both of the very qualified African American Speaks volumes.
Affordable Utilities for All
All Washingtonians should be able to afford everyday needs like electricity and other utilities. But working people across the district have seen their Pepco and other utility bills skyrocket, with some people’s costs doubling or even tripling in recent months.
High demand from AI data centers and inefficient infrastructure have contributed to high costs. But another significant cause is DC’s failure to provide proper oversight of Pepco as the company has increased rates each of the last three years, much faster than it has in other cities and states. That’s money that should be in the pockets of DC residents, not Pepco’s investors. Recently, the courts held DC’s Public Service Commission responsible for failing to look out for us in approving Pepco’s utility price increases.
As mayor, Janeese will lower our costs by:
• Protecting Washingtonians from Pepco and Washington Gas Rate Hikes
• Holding AI Data Centers Accountable
• Increasing Access to Affordable Energy Tools
• Removing Barriers to Energy Assistance for People Who Need It
• Stopping Energy Scams and Exploitation
Watch the Affordable Utilities for All Video
Ted Trabue was appointed to the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia by Mayor Muriel Bowser and was confirmed by the Council of D.C. on December 20, 2022. His current term ends June 30, 2026. Commissioner Trabue previously served as the Managing Director of the District of Columbia Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) from 2011-2022. Prior to that, he was the Vice President for District of Columbia Affairs at Pepco, worked at the Greater Washington Board of Trade as Staff Director for Critical Issues for the District of Columbia and Maryland, and served as Chief of Staff for former Council of DC Chairman Linda Cropp.
Commissioner Trabue served on the District of Columbia State Board of Education for more than five years, including as President from 2010- 2012 and as Vice President in 2009.
Commissioner Trabue is a fourth-generation Washingtonian, and, like his mother and grandmother, he attended District of Columbia Public Schools. He received a degree in Economics from Dartmouth College and holds a law degree from Howard University School of Law.
Emile C. Thompson
Chairman of DCPSC
Muriel Bowser Mayor,
District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington, DC 20004
Dear Mayor Bowser: July 29, 2026 Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation as Chairman of the D.C. Public Service Commission, effective August 14, 2026. It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve District residents and advance the Commission’s vital mission. Having devoted my career to public service, serving as Chairman has been one of my greatest honors.
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work alongside dedicated colleagues, protect the public interest, and help ensure the fair and efficient delivery of utility services.
I sincerely appreciate the guidance, support, and professional growth I have experienced during my tenure, as well as your support as Mayor. Your leadership has helped advance the District’s clean energy goals and reinforce its position as a national leader in this field. I am proud of the work we have accomplished over the last five years.
The Commission has initiated public planning frameworks that will allow the public to truly engage in utility planning in a manner that was not previously possible. It is my hope that the Commission finalizes these frameworks, because the public deserves a seat in their energy future.
Additionally, we have made substantial progress in developing a District specific BCA framework that considers equity and will be used on future utility projects. We also signed the first PPA for 5% of the SOS load and awarded three of the four pilot projects funded by the merger. These pilot projects re-envision the energy landscape in the district – without any cost to everyday ratepayers. Equally as important, we ensured that Pepco and WGL followed through with their merger commitments – including the provision of top decile electric service reliability, reductions in gas leaks, and the development of 10 MWs of clean energy by WGL.
I would also note that the district is exceeding its solar carveout requirements, and compliance with solar interconnection regulations is at an all-time high without the need for utility incentives that increase profits. The District has also continued to have a national presence and be a leader in utility regulation. During my tenure as Chairman, I served as the President of the Organization of PJM States, the body of state regulators 1325 G Street, N.W., Suite 800 Washington, D.C., 20005 202-626-5100 * dcpsc.org that advocates on behalf of the states at FERC and PJM.
I testified multiple times before FERC about the importance of a well-functioning regional transmission organization (RTO), data centers’ cost allocation, and the need for an effective capacity market. I also served as a member on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), an advisory member of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the Chair of the Critical Infrastructure Committee at NARUC and on the advisory committee of the Critical Consumer Issues Forum.
One item must be emphasized. Rising energy prices are not attributable to any one agency, group or thing. This phenomenon is occurring across the nation. To meet this moment, a finger pointing approach will not work.
All stakeholders must be willing to engage in honest conversations and thoughtful introspection. Every regulation that creates cost, incentives, taxes or surcharges must be revisited to ensure the benefits are commensurate with the cost.
Further, stakeholders must be honest with ratepayers about the costs and benefits of these policies and preferences. As the issue of affordability is debated, the other three legs of the table – reliability, safety and conservation of environmental resources must be considered. Over reliance on any one of these legs creates an energy system table that is greatly unbalanced and surely set to fail.
Finally, for the Commission to continue to do its job effectively, it must continue to operate as an independent entity. Commissioners are appointed and confirmed by the Council across Mayoral terms for just this reason. While Commissioners must be responsive to political leadership, the Commission was created to be independent. To ensure a seamless transition of my responsibilities, I am committed to working with the team over the next two weeks to provide essential guidance.
Please let me know how I can best support the Commission during this transition period.
Sincerely,
Emile C. Thompson