DC Public Service Commission: Who Regulates Your Power

A Shaw row-house owner opens her Pepco bill in July and sees a supply charge she doesn't recognize. She calls Pepco, gets transferred twice, and still doesn't understand who actually approved the rate she's paying. The answer isn't Pepco. It's the DC Public Service Commission (DCPSC), a five-member independent agency that most District residents have never heard of, yet whose decisions show up on every electricity bill in the city.

This guide explains what the DCPSC does, how it affects what you pay, and what options you have when something goes wrong.

The DC Public Service Commission is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing electric, natural gas, and telephone utilities operating in Washington DC. It was established under District law and operates independently of the mayor's office and the DC Council, though commissioners are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the Council.

Its core jobs are straightforward: approve or reject rate increases requested by utilities like Pepco, set the rules for how utilities must treat customers, license competitive electricity suppliers, and adjudicate formal complaints. Think of it as the referee between a monopoly utility and the people who have no choice but to use it.

For electricity specifically, the DCPSC also oversees the Standard Offer Service (SOS), which is the default supply rate that applies to any customer who hasn't chosen a competitive supplier. If you've never switched suppliers, you're on SOS, and the DCPSC controls how that rate is procured and priced.

Pepco is the only electric utility serving Washington DC. It owns and operates the poles, wires, transformers, and meters that deliver electricity to every home and business in the District. Because it operates as a regulated monopoly, no competing wires company can come in and undercut it on delivery. That's exactly why an independent regulator like the DCPSC is necessary.

Every time Pepco wants to raise its delivery rates, it must file a formal rate case with the DCPSC. The Commission reviews the filing, holds public hearings where District residents can testify, and issues a written order either approving, modifying, or denying the request. This process can take many months and involves expert witnesses, intervenors (like DC's Office of the People's Counsel), and extensive financial scrutiny.

Pepco also handles billing and outage response for everyone in DC, including customers who have switched to a competitive electricity supplier. So even if you choose a different company for supply, Pepco remains your utility and the DCPSC remains your regulator.

Washington DC opened its electricity market to competition, meaning residents can choose a competitive supplier for the supply portion of their bill. But most people don't switch. Those who haven't are served under Standard Offer Service (SOS), a default supply arrangement managed under DCPSC rules.

SOS supply is procured through competitive auctions, so the rate fluctuates each period rather than being set arbitrarily. As of June 2026, the SOS supply rate in DC is approximately 16.1 cents per kWh. Here's the notable part: no competitive supplier currently beats that. The lowest competitive supplier offer in DC right now is around 17.6 cents per kWh, which is actually higher than SOS.

That means DC residents on Pepco's default service are, at this moment, getting a better supply price than anything the competitive market offers. This is not always the case, and it can change when the next SOS auction settles. Check live DC electricity rates at ElectricRates.org before making any decision about switching suppliers.

The DCPSC requires any competitive supplier doing business in DC to be licensed, and it can revoke that license for deceptive practices. That licensing requirement is a layer of consumer protection that SOS customers don't have to think about, because they're already on the utility default.

If Pepco has billed you incorrectly, failed to restore power within a reasonable timeframe, or treated you unfairly, you have a formal escalation path. Here's how it works in practice.

Step 1: Contact Pepco directly. Most billing disputes and outage issues get resolved at this stage. Pepco's customer service is required under DCPSC rules to attempt informal resolution.

Step 2: Contact the DC Office of the People's Counsel (OPC). The OPC is a DC government office that acts as an advocate specifically for residential utility consumers. It can intervene on your behalf before the matter becomes a formal complaint.

Step 3: File a formal complaint with the DCPSC. If informal resolution fails, you can file a formal complaint through the DCPSC's Consumer Services Division. The Commission will investigate, request information from Pepco, and issue a determination. Formal complaints are a matter of public record.

The DCPSC's contact information and complaint forms are available on its official website at dcpsc.org. There is no fee to file a complaint.

The DCPSC doesn't administer energy assistance programs directly, but its rules require Pepco to participate in and properly apply them. The main low-income assistance program in DC is administered by the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), which runs programs including the DC Utility Discount Program and the Heating and Cooling Assistance Program.

Eligibility thresholds and benefit amounts for these programs are set by DOEE, not the DCPSC. For the most current figures on who qualifies and how to apply, the DOEE website is the authoritative source. The DCPSC does establish rules about how utilities must notify customers of available assistance and how disconnection protections apply to enrolled households.

If you believe Pepco has failed to properly apply a discount you're entitled to, that is a matter you can raise through the DCPSC complaint process described above.

Understanding which parts of your bill are regulated and which aren't makes it easier to know where to direct questions and complaints.

Your Pepco bill has two fundamental components. The first is delivery, which covers the cost of the wires, meters, and grid infrastructure. This is fully regulated by the DCPSC. Pepco is the only company that can charge you for delivery, and it can only charge what the DCPSC has approved.

The second is supply, which is the cost of the electricity itself. In DC, supply is partially deregulated. You can stay on SOS (the DCPSC-overseen default) or choose a licensed competitive supplier. Either way, the DCPSC still plays a role: it runs the SOS auctions and licenses competitive suppliers.

When comparing offers from competitive suppliers, always compare the supply rate to the current SOS rate. As noted above, as of June 2026 the SOS supply rate of 16.1 cents per kWh is lower than any available competitive offer. You can see up-to-date comparisons at ElectricRates.org's Washington DC page.

When Pepco files a rate case, most District residents don't realize they have the right to participate. The DCPSC is required to hold public hearings, and any DC resident can submit written comments or testify in person. These comments become part of the official record and commissioners are expected to consider them.

Past rate cases have addressed everything from Pepco's storm-restoration performance to the appropriate level of return the company is allowed to earn on its infrastructure investments. The Office of the People's Counsel typically participates as a formal intervenor, often arguing against rate increases on behalf of residential customers.

Schedules for upcoming rate cases and public hearings are posted on the DCPSC website. Following them is a practical way to know when your electricity bill is likely to change.

The DC Public Service Commission is the backstop that keeps Pepco accountable on rates, service quality, and customer treatment. It's also the body that oversees Standard Offer Service, the default supply option that, as of June 2026, actually beats every competitive supplier in the market.

For most DC residents right now, staying on SOS is the financially sound choice on supply. But that can shift after each SOS auction, so it's worth checking periodically. Use ElectricRats.org's live rate tool or contact the DCPSC directly if you have questions about your specific situation.

If Pepco has treated you unfairly, the DCPSC and the Office of the People's Counsel are real resources with real authority. Using them is free.