June 2026

OPC and Consumers Raise Concerns about Proposed DC Water Rate Increases The Office of the People’s Counsel is committed to ensuring that District residents are not only informed—but empowered—to have their voices heard in decisions that affect their utility bills. That includes DC Water rates that are expected to increase beginning with the fiscal year that starts October 1 and the following fiscal year. OPC, other advocates, and consumers shared concerns on the proposed rate increases at DC Water’s June 23 public hearing. DC Water has proposed 6.6% and 5.3% rate hikes that will add about $18 a month to the average residential bill over two years. While infrastructure investment is necessary, OPC emphasizes that rate increases must be justified and supported by clear evidence on the record. And affordability must be a priority.   OPC’s analysis of DC Water’s public engagement leading up to the Water Board’s vote on the increases on September 3, 2026, highlights a troubling pattern. DC Water has provided limited details and a lack of clarity around how the new rates have been calculated, how funds will be used, and incomplete explanations of major cost drivers, including long-term debt obligations and capital expenditures. Discussion on major system issues, such as costs related to the Potomac Interceptor breakdown, has lacked the detail needed for public understanding. OPC maintains that ratepayers should not be asked to absorb rising costs without clear and accessible information on what they are paying for and why. This is particularly troublesome when many are struggling to keep up with other essential living costs and bill payment assistance is not as plentiful as in past years. Contact OPC’s Water Services Division at (202) 727-3071 if you need help with your water bill. OPC does not provide funds but can make referrals to agencies that do.

OPC Highlights Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities at Affordability Hearing

On June 3, Laurence Daniels, OPC Director of Litigation Services, testified before the DC Public Service Commission’s legislative-style informational hearing on affordability issues. OPC has been pressing the PSC to give more attention to affordability issues and in November filed a petition seeking a formal proceeding.

Presenting OPC’s position, Attorney Daniels proposed solutions to address affordability. He also countered the narrative that pushing back against rapidly escalating rates is a vote against economic progress. See his statement at 26:35 here.

“Economic growth, technological advancement, innovation, artificial intelligence or modern infrastructure that produces unsustainable utility bills, massive arrearages, and ultimately service disconnections for residential consumers is not responsible. Every month, rising utility costs contribute to an increase in the number of customers in arrears and receiving electricity service disconnection notices. Behind every customer unable to pay for this essential service is a family struggling to survive,” stated Daniels.

Daniels noted that modern demand for energy services and the infrastructure challenges they pose have outgrown the traditional regulatory structure’s ability to manage them. He presented the Commission with a series of measures it can take now to help mitigate the growing economic threat to consumers.

First, transmission cost allocation rules need to be adjusted to charge large customers (such as data centers) proportionally for the true cost of transmission upgrades required to serve them.

Secondly, the regional transmission organization (PJM) needs a rigorous process for determining whether proposed and extremely costly large customer load development is legitimate and likely to actually develop before the investments are made.

Third, renewable energy interconnection reforms are essential. For too long delays and obstacles have frustrated and prevented residential, institutional and even commercial customers from taking advantage of solar and other clean energy options.

And fourth, affordability must become a central consideration of the wholesale energy market. Decisions cannot be made solely on the basis of “does it work” without also determining if the costs to achieve service are reasonable.

“All stakeholders — regulators, utilities, regional market operators, policymakers, and developers — must recognize that protecting residential consumers is not an obstacle to progress nor a factor to be minimized. It is a necessary exercise for responsible progress” stated Daniels.

                                                              Hands Off When It’s Hot!

OPC reminds consumers that DC law prohibits utilities from disconnecting your service during extreme weather. Here are the regulations governing Pepco and hot conditions:

If daytime temperatures are 95 degrees Fahrenheit or higher on the day before and the day of extreme weather forecasts, disconnections must be delayed. That temperature can be either an actual reading or the heat index.

Disconnections cannot take place after 5:00 pm on a Thursday and not before 8:00 am on a Monday, on a legal holiday, or on a day when a utility is closed to the public.

If your utilities have been disconnected or are at risk of being cut off, contact OPC at (202) 727-3071 for assistance.

How the Monthly Energy Price Outlook Affects Your Bills Each month, OPC reviews natural gas and electricity price trends to help residents plan ahead. This outlook draws on forecasts from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and other federal agencies. Here is what OPC found for June 2026. The prices that utilities pay for natural gas, known as wholesale prices, are expected to rise modestly in June 2026, by about 3 percent. The better news for residents is that these prices should remain relatively low through the end of 2026, so home heating and cooking costs are unlikely to spike in the near term if circumstances remain unchanged.

Residents who get gas service from Washington Gas (WGL) or a third-party energy supplier (TPS) should also know that WGL currently offers a lower rate than competing companies that sell gas in the District. Reviewing WGL’s market data compared to selected competitive suppliers, OPC found that a typical household could save $220 to $320 annually with WGL’s standard services than with a TPS. On the electricity side, Pepco’s rates are set twice each year and will not change again until November 1, 2026. As a result of how regional power supply is purchased, one adjustment was scheduled for June 1. Consumers can estimate their monthly gas or electricity bills, find energy-saving tips, and compare their standard energy provider with alternative suppliers, all on opc-dc.gov. OPC is Advocating for Consumers in the Following Cases: Formal Case No. 1179: On May 22, OPC filed a Response to WGL’s Petition for Reconsideration and Clarification of Order No. 22823. On May 26, OPC filed a Renewed Motion for Dismissal in lieu of a June hearing and submission of pre-hearing filings required by the order. Evidentiary hearings on WGL’s pipe replacement program are now scheduled for July 27. Formal Case No. 1017, 1183, & 1186: On May 29, OPC filed a statement for the June 3 legislative-style informational hearing, focusing on the need for affordable energy costs for DC ratepayers. 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. Information Tabling Northwest One Library 155 L Street NW Thursday, July 2 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Jobs Have Priority Inc. Resource Fridays 1500 Franklin Street NE Friday, July 10 10:00 am – 1:30 pm Photo Gallery OPC’s Cheryl Morse, far right, at a Ward 4 pop-up where DC Council staff, and DC agency representatives inform residents of their services for constituents. OPC’s Natacha Guedez and Terri Demissie at the ANC 5D06 2nd Annual Health & Resource Fair in Northeast. OPC’s CharQuia Barringtine, back row-2nd from left, with presenters and participants at a veterans’ resource and housing symposium hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs. 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. 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, CharQuia Barringtine, Adam Carlesco, Terri Demissie, Cheryl Morse 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