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D.C. Commission Sells Out Consumers by Paving the Way for Exelon to Take Over Pepco

Feb. 26, 2016

D.C. Commission Sells Out Consumers by Paving the Way for Exelon to Take Over Pepco

Statement of Allison Fisher, Public Outreach Director for Public Citizen

Note: Today, by a 2-1 margin, the D.C. Public Service Commission again correctly voted to preserve and protect the interests of utility consumers by rejecting the proposed takeover of Pepco by Chicago-based Exelon Corporation. In that same meeting though, Commissioner Joanne Doddy Fort announced that she would exchange her no vote for a yes vote if Exelon would meet additional conditions. Public Citizen has been actively involved in both alerting and mobilizing D.C. residents against the proposed merger. Public Citizen members who live in the District of Columbia emailed, phoned and testified before the commission opposing the merger.

The D.C. Public Service Commission has now voted to reject Exelon’s attempt to take over Pepco on two separate occasions. Unfortunately, by adding new conditions, Commissioner Fort still fails to acknowledge the obvious: This deal is irredeemable and there are no superficial conditions or short-term fixes that will benefit D.C. consumers. It is disappointing that the immense political pressure and the full flex of Exelon’s money and influence trumped District regulators’ mandate to protect D.C. utility customers.

This is a huge loss for consumers, a discouraging setback for the institutions entrusted to protect them and a sad commentary on how things are done in the District.

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