Washington DC Electric Utility — Compare Pepco Plans
Every home in the District of Columbia is served by Pepco. Pepco delivers power, maintains the wires, and responds to outages. Under the DC Retail Electric Competition and Consumer Protection Act, you can choose any competitive supplier licensed by the DC Public Service Commission for the generation portion of your bill.
How DC Retail Electric Choice Works
The DC Retail Electric Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 1999 separated the District's electricity market into delivery and generation. Pepco handles delivery — the part of your bill you can't shop. Competitive suppliers handle generation — the part you can shop. The DC Public Service Commission licenses every supplier, approves Standard Offer Service rates, and publishes the consumer-facing supplier comparison.
When you switch to a competitive supplier, Pepco continues to deliver electricity and respond to outages — no service interruption, no technician visit. The switch processes on your next meter read, typically one to two billing cycles. You can return to Standard Offer Service at any time at no cost.
Washington DC utilities and suppliers, explained
How do I pick the cheapest electricity supplier in Washington DC?
Pepco is the District's only electric distribution utility, so your delivery charge and your Standard Offer Service (SOS) rate are fixed no matter what. From there, compare every competitive supplier licensed by the DC Public Service Commission (DCPSC) serving Pepco territory. Compare each supplier's per-kWh supply rate against Pepco's SOS rate. If the supplier rate is lower at your real monthly usage, check the contract length, the cancellation fee, and whether the rate is fixed or variable. Cheapest equals the lowest total monthly bill — base charges and fees included — not the lowest sticker rate.
What's the difference between Pepco and a competitive supplier?
In Washington DC, Pepco owns the poles, wires, and meter and physically delivers electricity to your home. The DC Public Service Commission (DCPSC) regulates Pepco's delivery rates and approves the Standard Offer Service (SOS) price. A competitive supplier is an independent company you choose that sets your generation rate. You pay Pepco either way, but the supply portion of the bill goes to the supplier if you've shopped. Pepco still handles outages, meter reading, and reconnects. You can leave a supplier at any time and return to SOS at no cost; Pepco is your only distribution option.
Are these rates real-time?
The supplier rates on this page refresh daily from PowerKiosk's direct supplier feeds — what you see was published within the last twenty-four hours. Pepco delivery and Standard Offer Service rates reflect the most recent DCPSC-approved tariff. Rates can shift between your search and the moment you enroll. Confirm the supplier's contract terms on their enrollment page before signing — that's the legally binding rate, not a marketing display.