On Nov. 19 and 20, the D.C. Public Service Commission held its last two public hearing to discuss Pepco’s proposed $51.7 million rate hike.

The Commission tried its best to limit public input, knowing that the public’s response would be a resounding “No!” to the rate hike, by holding the Nov. 19 hearing at a location inaccessible by public transportation and the Nov. 20 hearing during the work day. Nevertheless, Justice First volunteers and other community activists carpooled and took time off from work to make sure our voices would be heard.

Justice First volunteers from the District of Columbia and neighboring states testified at the Nov. 19 public hearing in solidarity with D.C. residents to vehemently oppose Pepco’s rate hike.

Jonathan Miller, a Justice First volunteer, stated: “Do you want proof that these hikes are destroying people’s lives? Just this past spring, one in four District residents was at risk of losing a utility service.

“Where were the public service commissioners, whose salaries are paid by those same district residents, when utility rates were being raised, putting so many people at risk? What were they doing?”

The next day, Justice First held a protest outside the Public Service Commission headquarters, just before the final public hearing on the proposed hike. Organizers joined community members to vocally oppose raising utility bills in a time when people are struggling to keep their jobs.

Pepco’s proposed $51.7 million rate hike is obscene. Pepco, which is part of Pepco Holding Inc., has a monopoly over the distribution of electricity for D.C. residents. Last year alone, the PHI made $10.7 billion in revenues and $300 million in profit. 

Crystal Kim, Executive Director of Justice First, said that electricity is “as vital as oxygen in modern civilian life.” 

“D.C. residents deserve better.  We shouldn’t have to beg our own government to protect us from multibillion-dollar utility giants,” Kim testified.

Disabled residents, senior citizens, and community leaders and advocates all took a stand against the rate hike. Darnise Henry Bush, from the D.C. Statewide Independent Living Council, testified that disable residents would suffer a direct hit because much of the equipment that is necessary for their day-to-day survival requires electricity.

Edward Durham, who is disabled and insulin dependent, testified that he was not looking for a handout or sympathy.  He said he wanted “to be able to survive and function without a giant size utility attempting to crush me like a grape!”

D.C. residents cannot do without the light and heat provided by Pepco, but Pepco’s goal has nothing to do with meeting that need. Pepco’s executives care only about increasing Pepco’s profit margin so that its shareholders will see a substantial return on their investment. In the company’s own words:

“Pepco requires an increase in its electric distribution rate to allow it to cover its costs of providing service including a fair return on its investor-supplied capital. At current rates, Pepco’s return on equity is just 5.28%, which is far short of the 10% level approved last year by the Commission. … The company requires a $51.7 million increase in electric distribution rates to make up the deficit in its earnings.” (Application of Potomac Electric Power Company, PSC Formal Case Filing No. 1076-E-1 at 3-4)

“Their goal is to maximize profits for a small clique of already rich investors, primarily the biggest banks in society,” said Justice First Executive Director Crystal Kim.

Justice First is demands a moratorium on all shutoffs and a 50 percent rollback in rates.  Electricity is not a luxury!  We live in the capital of the richest and most powerful country in history.  No one should be forced to choose between buying food and keeping the lights on at home.

The record in the case before the Public Service Commission regarding Pepco’s $51.7 million rate hike will remain open until Dec. 19. You do not need to be a D.C. resident to make your voice heard.

Click here to send a written testimony to the D.C. Public Service Commission opposing Pepco’s outrageous $51.7 million rate hike, and to demand a moratorium on all shutoffs and a 50 percent rollback in rates. A copy of your letter will also be sent to the D.C. Office of the People's Counsel, D.C. Councilmember Muriel Bowser and D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray, who are interested in public input on this matter.