Report: Pepco Rate Increase Will Raise Monthly Bills

By Whitney Teal

Pepco customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties can expect to kick in a few extra dollars for monthly utility service, The Washington Post reported.

The Maryland Public Service Commission approved a rate increase for the utility that will take effect immediately, raising average monthly bills for homeowners by about $2.41, TThe Post reported.

Pepco will also be able to charge a monthly surcharge of 6 cents on the average bill to fix the worst power lines.

Montgomery County Councilman Roger Berliner (D-Dist 1) of Potomac called the decision to give Pepco $27.9 million of the $60.8 million increase it request a “disappointment.”

“As a county, we fought hard to stop Pepco from getting automatic trackers (immediate return) for reliability investments—investments we believe Pepco should be required to make to satisfy their fundamental obligation to provide reliable service,” Berliner said in a statement. “In this decision, the commission allowed some trackers, but limited them to a few feeders, which represent approximately 12.5 percent of Pepco’s request.”

“Our goal remains the same: require Pepco to make significant reliability improvements as soon as possible, and base their financial returns on their performance—not on the dollars they spend,” Berliner said.