The OPC files brief defending its challenge to Pepco’s rate hike

The Office of the People’s Counsel has filed its brief defending its appeal of Pepco’s most recent rate hike. Earlier this month, both Pepco and the PSC filed briefs to the DC Court of Appeals arguing that the 11% rate hike on DC residents was both just and reasonable.

The OPC states that the PSC’s reasoning is flawed when it comes to evidentiary hearings, that the PSC erroneously glosses over fact-intensive evidence such as revenue requirements and rate of return, and maintains that the PSC did not follow the law when it failed to conduct a prudency review of Pepco’s spending. As a reminder, the PSC (and other stakeholders) are unable to tell how Pepco spends ratepayer money without fully reviewing Pepco’s spending. Without this backstop, the utility can overspend on projects or use ratepayer money for unapproved projects without our regulators knowing.

The full 29-page brief can be found in the PSC e-docket system as FC1176, Order 495.