March 11, 2016

D.C. Mayor Bowser and D.C. Office of People’s Counsel Rejects Third Proposed Exelon-Pepco Takeover: Are Ready to Move On

March 11, 2016

D.C. Mayor Bowser and D.C. Office of People’s Counsel Rejects Third Proposed Exelon-Pepco Takeover: Are Ready to Move On

Statement of Allison Fisher, Outreach Director, Public Citizen’s Energy Program

Note: Today, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Office of the People’s Counsel announced again that they remain unable to support the settlement deal that would have halted environmental progress for the District and raised utility rates. 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.

Both Mayor Bowser and Sandra Mattavous-Frye, the District chief consumer advocate, have rejected Exelon’s third attempt to takeover Pepco. In her filing, Mattavous-Frye declared that the consumer advocate is “ready to move on and address other challenges and opportunities facing the District.” Public Citizen couldn’t agree more. The Public Service Commission’s decision is evident: reject the merger. The message to Exelon is clear: It’s time to take their rate hikes and go back to Illinois.

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