| Hello Neighbors, Since my last 2 emails in December 2025 and February 2026 alerting you to PEPCO’s proposed 23% electric utility rate increase, there are two (2) updates that I need to share with you. Thanks to our IHHAAC, North Clinton, District 23 Coalition neighbors for sharing this with me. First, due to the advocacy of the Maryland People’s Counsel, our taxpayer advocate before the Maryland Public Service Commission (MD PSC) on utility and telecommunications matters, the MD PSC rejected PEPCO’s rate hike to be reimbursed for capital expenditures it made or plans to make for its distribution of our electricity. This is a great WIN for us as ratepayers and the company’s shareholders will have to bear the burden for its business operations from their profits! YEAH!! Rather than quote the entire Office of the People’s Counsel press release from Friday, April 3rd, please use this link to read it for yourself: MD People Counsel Press Release. Second, PEPCO still has its October 2025 application for a rate increase pending – Case No. 9820. That information was shared in my December and February emails, but here’s a quick synopsis for those new to my listserv. PEPCO’s proposed increase would grow its existing summer rates by 15 percent and winter rates by 33 percent, for an overall increase of 23 percent. Because PEPCO’s summer rates apply for 5 months of the year and its winter rates apply for 7 months, the overall increase reflects a weighted average of those two seasonal rates. The proposed increase would follow a decade of steadily rising distribution rates. If approved by the MD PSC, it would mean distribution rates will have increased about 63 percent since 2020 and 132 percent since 2016. Click here to read the Office of the People’s Counsel guide: “A Consumer’s Guide to PEPCO’s Proposed Rate Increase”. PEPCO is proposing a new method for setting its rates based on forecasted costs. The Office of the People’s Counsel is asking the PSC to reject PEPCO’s request and apply standard ratemaking policies to evaluate PEPCO’s proposal. We should do the same in our oral and written testimonies before the MD PSC. According to PEPCO, the average residential customer would see a $11.73 increase in the monthly bill. I’m skeptical. The MD PSC will hold two (2) hearings to receive public input on PEPCO’s proposal to increase its electric distribution rates. WHEN: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 and Friday, April 17, 2026, both at 6 p.m. WHERE: Virtually or In Person. HOW TO PARTICIPATE: Email kimberly.schock@maryland.gov by 12 PM this Friday, April 10th, for the first hearing and by 12 PM Wednesday, April 15th, for the second hearing.Attendees will receive a link for the virtual meeting. A recording will also be posted to the Commission’s YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/MarylandPSC Written comments may be submitted electronically through the MD PSC’s website, in the Public Comments Dropbox: https://www.psc.state.md.us/make-a-public-comment/. First-time users of the portal will need to register and then can submit their comments in Case No. 9820. Finally, local residents have started a Petition to demand an investigation into PEPCO’s huge rate increases. You can sign the petition which has over 5,000 signatures now here: https://c.org/ttrSnHfbcx. Please share with your neighbors. “The heaviest penalty for deciding not to engage in politics is to be ruled by someone inferior to yourself.” Plato Your Advocate, Tamara Davis Brown A Name You Know, A Voice You Trust. Candidate, District 9 County Council www.tamaradavisbrown.org To make a contribution to my campaign, click here: DONATE, or mail checks payable to Tamara Davis Brown for Prince George’s County, P.O. Box 1292 Clinton, MD 20735. |
Camp Springs Civic Association 