Amid repeated failures by the D.C. Public Service Commission to keep energy bills down, a coalition of consumer, housing and climate advocates is urging the D.C. Council to pause new appointments to the commission until after the new mayor takes office Jan. 2. Advocates will testify at the Feb. 27 public oversight hearing of the commission, emphasizing how higher energy bills are straining D.C. residents and the need for new leadership at the commission.
“To build a more affordable energy future in D.C., we should use new architects. January’s 13% gas rate hike is only the latest chapter in a history of lax oversight and deference by the D.C. Public Service Commission to let utilities jack up their rates no matter the cost to District residents,” said Claire Mills, D.C. campaigns manager at the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “Time and time again, Chair Thompson and Commissioner Trabue have sided with Washington Gas and Pepco instead of with hardworking D.C. residents, rubber-stamping nearly half a billion dollars in excessive spending that allows these companies to increase profits for their shareholders. With affordability top of mind for D.C. residents this election season, voters deserve a say in choosing a leader who will hold utilities accountable and help bring costs down. That means no reappointments before the November election.”
Since 2021, under Chair Emile Thompson’s leadership, the commission has approved $398.5 million in utility spending by both Pepco and Washington Gas. That included a controversial multiyear electric rate hike approved in November 2024 that increased D.C. electric bills by $7.54 per month in 2025 and $3.80 per month in 2026, and a 13% gas rate hike approved in December 2025 that boosted Washington Gas’ return on equity to 10.5%, an industry high. The commission has continued to approve spending requests from Pepco and Washington Gas even as both utilities face lawsuits from consumer advocates alleging mismanagement of ratepayer dollars and research showing utility infrastructure spending has failed to measurably reduce gas leak risks. The commission is expected to rule on a request from Washington Gas for an additional $215 million in fossil fuel pipeline spending later this spring.
“Decisions about utilities affect D.C. residents every single day, yet we have limited power over how those decisions are made, since commission members are appointed and not elected,” said Claire Hacker, organizer with Extinction Rebellion DC. “For years, in hearings before the commission and council and in the streets, residents have made it clear that we want a fast and equitable transition to clean energy, and we don’t want more of our paychecks going to line Washington Gas’ pockets. But Chairman Thompson and Commissioner Trabue aren’t listening. The D.C. Council needs to act in the public’s interest and stop these commissioners from continuing their irresponsible bias toward monopoly utilities.”
Approximately one in seven D.C. households are behind on their gas bills alone, while Pepco disconnection notices spiked by nearly 20% in December 2025. Meanwhile, volatile fossil fuel prices have worsened the crisis, with the residential price of electricity rising 5.5% in November 2025 compared with the year prior and gas prices rising 88.5%. At the same time, Pepco and Washington Gas continued to make record profits, with Pepco earning $40.95 million in December 2025 and Washington Gas giving its shareholders a 6% dividend increase that same month.
“Across the board, D.C. families are forced to make difficult choices when it comes to keeping the lights on and staying warm in their homes,” concluded Harrison Pyros, communications coordinator for We Power DC. “With electric and gas bills skyrocketing, we need utility regulators on the Public Service Commission who will put the interests of D.C. households before those of for-profit utility corporations like Washington Gas and Pepco. Rather than allow D.C. leaders already on their way out the door to rubber-stamp another five years of rate hikes, D.C. voters deserve a say in choosing a mayor who will ensure a new commission puts people over profits.”
Ali Hameed is a senior program associate for Sunstone Strategies.