Commission Updates in Response to the
 COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
 

The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (Commission) is committed to caring for the health and well-being of District residents and employees and playing an active role in supporting the Mayor, D.C. Council and local health officials.
 
To keep the public abreast of decisions being made by the Commission, as well as actions being taken in response to COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, we have created this resource webpage. Please check back for updates.
 
Please note the following:

Continuity of Operations Plan

• The Commission has activated its Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP).
• The Commission is still open for business, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Personnel are working remotely until April 27, 2020.
• No walk-in meetings, filings or deliveries can be accepted at this time at the Commission offices, located at 1325 G Street N.W.

• The Office of Consumer Services (OCS) is accepting complaints and inquiries by phone at 202-626-5120 or online at http://bit.ly/ContactOCS 
• Consumer Complaint Specialists are available to speak with consumers Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Utility consumers should also be aware of Utility Consumer Protections as well as how to avoid utility scams during this COVID-19 public health emergency.

Disconnections

• The D.C. Council passed emergency legislation prohibiting the disconnection of electric and gas services for non-payment of fees during the current public health emergency and for 15 days following the end of the emergency for all customers.
• COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020

Reconnections

• Pepco will be reconnecting residential customers who have had their electric service disconnected in the last 12 months to help ensure access to safe and healthy environments.
• Customers should call Pepco Customer Care at 202-833-7500 to have their service reconnected.  Pepco will also work with residents to identify assistance programs to help with bill payment and ensure service remains connected after this public health emergency.
• Please note that Pepco cannot restore service in unsafe conditions. We are working with Pepco to identify additional support to help with any safety issues before service is reconnected.
• Press Release: Pepco Extending Customer Support Practices to Ensure All Residents Have Safe and Reliable Energy Service During This Critical Time.

Utility Payments During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

• The D.C. Council passed emergency legislation prohibiting the disconnection of electric and gas services for non-payment during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Although disconnection of service for non-payment has been suspended, consumers will continue to be billed as usual by their utilities for services consumed.  It is therefore important that those consumers who are able to pay for these services during the emergency period continue to pay their bills in a timely manner, as to avoid a large future arrearage. 
• For consumers facing difficulty paying their utility bills, it is equally important to contact your utilities as soon as possible at the numbers listed below.  The utility companies are committed to helping consumers weather this crisis by providing payment arrangements, and, where available, other assistance. 
• If you need help understanding what assistance may be available to you, please contact the Public Service Commission’s Office of Consumer Services at 202-626-5120.

Low-Income Discount Programs & Seniors and Disabled Residents Credit

• The Commission requires Verizon Washington, DC, Pepco, and Washington Gas to offer discount programs to residential customers. A brief description of each program is provided on the webpage.
• Utility customers with a disconnection notice or who currently have service disconnected can receive a grant up to $1,000 once a year through the Washington Area Fuel Fund administered by the Salvation Army. Customers in the District of Columbia (Wards 1-6) call 202-332-5000 or (Wards 7-8) call 202-678-9771.
• The Greater Washington Urban League provides up to $500 in assistance to eligible customers facing disconnection. Customers can call 202-265-8200 or visit: https://www.gwul.org/utility-assistance.

• The Bowser Administration has established a website to keep the public informed during this public health emergency.      There is information on food resources, health guidance, resources for businesses and individuals, operating status of DC Government, and more. 

• Pepco is helping customers through temporary or extended financial hardship. Pepco is suspending service disconnections and waiving new late payment fees through at least May 1. Pepco will be working with customers on a case-by-case basis to establish payment arrangements and identify energy assistance options.
• Customer Service Number: 202-833-7500.

• Washington Gas suspends disconnections, waives late fees, offers payment arrangements during coronavirus pandemic.
• Customer Service Number: 1-844-WASHGAS (927-4427).

• Verizon consumers experiencing hardship because of COVID-19 and cannot pay their bill in full, Verizon will not charge a late fee or terminate service during this difficult period. This policy is currently in effect through May 13, 2020.
• Customer Service Number: 1-800-922-0204

• The Commission has requested that all electric suppliers and natural gas suppliers and their third-party marketing companies immediately discontinue all Door-to-Door solicitation and marketing efforts during the COVID-19 public health emergency and for 15 days thereafter.
• Consumer Alert: Electricity and Natural Gas Suppliers Door-to-Door Marketing Moratorium during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

• All public utilities, competitive electric suppliers, competitive natural gas suppliers, and CLECs are required to file their mandatory annual survey responses electronically using the DCPSC’s new e-Assessments Portal.
• If you have questions regarding Assessments, please send an email to psc-commissionsecretary@dc.gov.

• Commission Open Meetings are being held telephonically and recorded.  The audio recording of each meeting will be posted on  the Commission's website by close of business the day of the meeting.
• Open Meeting Schedule

• For real time updates on Commission proceedings, the public can subscribe to the Commission’s electronic docketing system, e-Docket.
• If you have questions regarding eDocket, please send an email to psc-commissionsecretary@dc.gov.

• Current Public Notices for various proceedings are posted on the Commission website. The public should check the listing for new notices.
• Public Notices Webpage

• Stay up to date with the latest media coverage, dockets, press releases and more from your state utility commissions.

• FERC is taking a number of steps to protect the health and safety of its employees and the public, and to help mitigate or slow the transmission of the coronavirus within our communities.

• The FCC is working to ensure that Americans stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic and is also taking steps to protect the health and safety of its staff.
• Keep Americans Connected Pledge: In order to ensure that Americans do not lose their broadband or telephone connectivity as a result of these exceptional circumstances, the FCC has asked requested   broadband and telephone service providers to take the Keep Americans Connected Pledge.

• This is the primary portal for public information curated by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Task Force at the White House, working in conjunction with CDC, HHS and other agency stakeholders, and links to the appropriate Federal agency website as the authoritative source for that information as necessary.