Climate Docket Dispatch
The Public Service Commission regulates the District’s utilities – Pepco and Washington Gas – and has the power to make or break our climate commitments. Read on for CCAN’s Docket Dispatch to learn about the live “dockets” at the Commission and see if our regulators are keeping up with the task.
Docket 1179
Project Pipes / District (uns)SAFE)
Docket 1180
Washington Gas Rate Case
Docket 1167
Gas Planning
Docket 1182
Electric Planning
Docket 1179: Accelerated Pipeline Replacement – also known as Project Pipes or District (un)SAFE
Washington Gas’s ongoing accelerated pipeline replacement project is a massive, $12 billion dollar plan to replace every methane gas pipe in the city – whether it needs it or not. Rather than targeting dangerous and polluting methane leaks, the program focuses on replacement based on pipe material, an imperfect model in which fully functional pipes are replaced all the time – and gas customers foot the bill. In the past ten years, it’s led to no reduction in gas leaks in the District. Yet Washington Gas champions this program, as this method of wholesale pipe replacement is far more profitable to Washington Gas, and more expensive to customers, than modern technologies for repairing leaking pipes.
In docket 1179, the Public Service Commission is considering District (un)SAFE – Washington Gas’s latest $215 million proposal for the third phase of its accelerated pipeline replacement program. This proposal requests 43% more than any previous phase, which means if approved, gas bills – also known as “rates” – would increase for everyone who pays them.
April 2025 Update
In late March, the Sierra Club and DC government filed a motion for reconsideration of Order No. 22367 – the February order that extended Project Pipes 2 again. The motion called out the lack of clear reasoning in the PSC’s order that
- Reversed their previous decision to require Washington Gas to be clear about their methodology for tracking greenhouse gas emissions reductions or the Company’s strategy for minimizing stranded assets, and
- Extended Project Pipes phase 2 after several decisions denying extensions.
On April 10, the Commission responded by denying this motion for reconsideration, and upheld their February order. Now, parties will need to decide if they will appeal to a higher court… meanwhile Washington Gas will continue spending ratepayer funds on new gas pipes.
What’s Next?
We expect debate at the PSC to continue for several more months, which may include hearings community members can attend. In the meantime, we’re getting prepared!
- Our first webinar on Wednesday April 30 will focus on how methane pollutes the atmosphere and contributes to the climate crisis. Co-sponsored by Third Act DC and the League of Women Voters DC Chapter [ONLINE]
- The next webinar, on Thursday May 8, will dive into how Washington Gas makes money off customers like you and the gas service they claim we need. Co-sponsored by We Power DC [ONLINE]
- At our grand finale, join us in person on Thursday May 22 (address TBA) to learn about the negative health impact burning methane in our homes has on us and our families. [IN PERSON]
- In March 2025, the PSC approved a $34 million dollar extension of the ongoing phase of Project Pipes until the end of 2025. Commissioner Beverly wrote a scathing dissent of this decision, including this powerful condemnation of District (un)SAFE: “District SAFE is not a new plan or a plan at all. It is essentially the continuation of Pipes 2, rebranded as District SAFE. All it does is present a request for more money to develop project lists in the future just as it would have done under Pipes 2, as though the Commission never said anything about the need for a new approach. Allowing this “plan” to move forward embraces the same failed pipe replacement strategy that the Commission disavowed in Order No. 22003. To me, this entire exercise has become a waste of time and money with no real benefit to the climate.” Read his full dissent here.
- In February 2025, eight DC Councilmembers signed on to a letter urging the PSC to reject Washington Gas’s accelerated pipeline replacement program once and for all.
- In November 2024, 22 organizations called on the PSC to reject District SAFE and end the accelerated pipeline replacement program for good.
- In November 2024, almost 700 DC residents filed comments with the Commission demanding they reject the new District SAFE proposal and instead invest in leak repair
- In October 2024, the PSC granted a 2 month, $8.5 million extension of Project Pipes Phase 2
- In September 2024, Washington Gas refiled for a new phase of Project Pipes, renamed District SAFE, to greenwash their pollution plan
- In June 2024, the PSC denied Washington Gas’s application for Project Pipes Phase 3
- In April 2024, the DC Attorney General urged the PSC to pause Project Pipes
- In February 2024, the PSC said Project Pipes is not “just and reasonable or otherwise in the public interest”
- In February 2024, 11 DC Councilmembers sent a letter to the PSC opposing Project Pipes Phase 3
- In February 2024, though the PSC ultimately approved a 1-year, $50 million extension to Phase 2 of Project Pipes, PSC Commissioner Richard Beverly wrote a strong dissent and cited local advocacy and opposition
- In December 2023, the PSC temporarily put Project Pipes on “pause” after 26 organizations called on the PSC to reject Project Pipes completely
Docket 1180: Washington Gas Rate Case
In August 2024, Washington Gas submitted an application to raise gas bills or “rates” by 12%, generating $33.9 million of additional revenue for the monopoly utility. The company also asks for an increased rate of return of 7.8% and a return on equity of 10.50%. This return on equity is far higher than the average forecast for returns on an investment – meaning Washington Gas is justifying higher prices for residents like you so they can pay their wealthy shareholders extra.
The rate case also includes a weather normalization adjustment, which would add surcharges or credits to customer’s bills from October through May to stabilize bills based on average weather – allowing Washington Gas to make extra money when winters are warmer than expected – rather than simply having customers pay for the gas they use. In docket 1180, the PSC is deciding whether or not to approve this application, or a modified version of it.
April 2025 Update
Almost 80 people have attended the Public Service Commission’s community hearings on the rate hike, with still one more to go on April 29! From sing-a-longs to powerful personal stories about $200 gas bills, community members like you have shown up to ask the Commissioners to do their job and look out for the people of D.C.
What’s next?
We still have one more hearing to go! RSVP with CCAN to testify at the last hearing from 6-8pm on April 29 (online or at the PSC offices in downtown D.C.) and receive our testimony guide.
Never testified before? Check out this video from CCAN’s DC Campaigns Manager to see what it’s like!
- In January 2025, four intervenors filed direct testimony on Washington Gas’s proposed rate hike, and all has significant objections to Washington Gas’s proposal.
- In August 2024, Washington Gas filed an application for a rate hike. This application comes just seven months after the company’s last rate hike went into effect.
Docket 1167: Gas Planning
Docket 1167 has long been the home of Washington Gas’s and Pepco’s “climate business plans,” long term “plans” that lay out unfulfilled suggestions for programs that could address the utilities’ climate impact. Historically, the Commission has failed to require them to be implemented, even partially, by the utilities.
In response to repeated demands from residents, intervenors, and even the DC Council, the PSC is expanding the scope of the “climate business plans” docket to help envision real climate solutions regarding the future of gas in DC. The PSC has requested stakeholder comments from interested organizations and experts on the feasibility of establishing a gas planning proceeding in the District.
April 2025 Update
We’ve got more time! The PSC granted Sierra Club’s motion for an extension of the deadline to submit initial comments on the feasibility of gas planning. Initial comments will now come in on Monday, and reply comments will be due June 26.
The Commission is also now using this docket to collect input from stakeholders on reporting requirements on greenhouse gas emissions for both Washington Gas and Pepco. The deadline for initial comments is May 5 for now, although Washington Gas has asked for an extension until the end of June.
What’s next?
We’ll be following this docket closely and pushing the Commission to adopt clear GHG emission reporting standards and use these to set a clear plan for a transition away from fossil fuels. Check back next month for a report on the initial comments filed about gas planning.
- In February 2025, the Commission extended the deadline for stakeholder comments on gas planning from February 10 to March 27. This also updates the reply comment deadline to May 12.
- In December 2024, the Public Service Commission requested gas planning comments from stakeholders and another round of climate business plans from the utilities while planning processes are considered. Commissioner Beverly dissented, arguing “it makes no sense” to force Washington Gas to complete a plan without the benefit cost analysis due later this year, and disagrees with delays on the development of this BCA.
Docket 1182: Electric Planning
Docket 1182 was opened in November 2024 to collect comments on integrated distribution system planning (IDSP), which focuses on optimizing and modernizing the electric system to meet demands. Given DC’s climate commitments, advocates and officials hope this docket will lead to the development of a framework for Pepco’s planning that factors in the District’s increasing need for electricity due to the transition off of methane gas.
April 2025 Update
Thanks for sending in your comments! Two dozen CCAN members used our tool to submit a comment encouraging the PSC to require transparent, collaborative planning in line with District climate commitments. Haven’t sent yours in yet? Take 30 seconds to do it now!
What’s next?
It’s up to the Commission! We’re waiting to see what next steps they will take. In the meantime, we’re reviewing the reply comments submitted by experts from GRID 2.0, the D.C. government, and Pepco.
- In March and April 2025, experts submitted initial comments and reply comments outlining recommendations for a process to conduct integrated distribution system planning.
- In December 2024, Commissioner Beverly published a letter with additional questions for stakeholders to answer, particularly about what data and information the Commission needs to collect from Pepco and how the process could ensure a transparent outcome.
- In November 2024, the PSC asked interested stakeholders to submit comments on IDSP, including responding to a strawman proposal.
Stay tuned for more! If you have questions or want to get involved, email claire@chesapeakeclimate.org.