Pepco wants less cost transparency for solar customers, per filing to PSC

The regulators at the Public Service Commission recently finalized new solar rules that require Pepco to itemize estimated costs for labor, operations and maintenance, and capital expenditures for each job activity and proposed piece of equipment, primarily with solar interconnection. In essence, DC customers would now be able to see their estimated project cost beforehand, plan accordingly, and most importantly: not be slapped with surprise (and opaque) hikes in random charges. This new rulemaking is similar to a ban on surprise fees and junk fees, giving customers more protections against corporations.

Pepco did not agree with this, of course. Shocking no one, the monopoly utility filed an application asking regulators to walk back the rule, claiming the itemized cost details they already charge customers is too hard, burdensome, or unnecessary to list up front. As a reminder, Pepco does not make a profit when DC customers go solar. Pepco is barred from generating its own electricity: instead, it makes money by buying energy wholesale and delivering to DC households and businesses for a fee.

Pepco’s move is disappointing, yet unsurprising. Our utilities should tell us how much something costs up front, just like nearly every other business in the country. Cost transparency like the PSC’s new rules protect customers from greedy corporations that wait until a service is finished to make up a price on the spot, all in an effort to protect their bottom line.