National Regulatory Research Institute Tells PEPCO Customers to Pay Up

Like many people in Maryland, the mere mention of “PEPCO”makes my blood boil. Hayley Peterson’s (8/21/12) article was no exception. Customers don’t need to be energy experts, law makers, or industry professionals to know Mr. Barua’s obvious point: improvements require money. Our obvious point is the money should come from PEPCO’s billions of tax-sheltered profits.

I don’t personally know the three people who told the Maryland Public Service Commission they are willing to pay more. I am one of thousands who are not and sent them a letter saying so.  

Also old hat is Mr. Berliner’s description of the cause of PEPCO’s vulnerabilities. Had PEPCO started underground wiring when I moved here~20 years ago, they’d be done by now. PEPCO’s saying it’s too expensive to start now is self-propagating. Maybe I need to write the EPA because there’s something about this area’s air quality making decision-makers delusional.
 

Sources:
"Experts: Pepco customers may have to pay more for better service";
http://washingtonexaminer.com/experts-pepco-customers-may-have-to-pay-more-for-better-service/article/2505561

" D.C., Pepco could spend billions to bury power lines"

http://washingtonexaminer.com/d.c.-pepco-could-spend-billions-to-bury-power-lines/article/2505138

Our Officials Are Keeping an Eye on PEPCO

I sent my PEPCO rate hike "concern" e-mail to every Maryland official I had in my contact list. The good news is that I got several positive responses, including Mr. Douglas Nazarian who is Chairman of Maryland's Public Service Commission (PSC).

Maryland Public Service Commission - PEPCO Case 9286

I admit I am not knowledgable about many governement processes and was glad to hear that it's the PSC who decides if the rates go up or not. PEPCO's request is a public filing with Case Number 9286. The filings are online at: http://webapp.psc.state.md.us. / Scroll to find this topic.

And, the PSC adds public comments to the case; mine is now one of them. I again urge all of you to send a quick note asking the PSC not to approve PEPCO's rate hike request. (Governor at governor@gov.state.md.us) and click on link to Mr. Nazarian's name here (http://webapp.psc.state.md.us/intranet/psc/people_new.cfm).

We are getting support from MC too. "Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and County Council President Roger Berliner said today that the County will "vigorously contest" Pepco's recent request for a $68 million rate increase." (Emphasis added. http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/News/press/PR_details.asp?PrID=8134)