The District of Columbia Power Line Undergrounding (DC PLUG) program is a public-private partnership between Pepco, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), and other District agencies. This initiative focuses on moving vulnerable overhead distribution lines underground to enhance the reliability and resilience of the city's electric grid. The program primarily targets residents in Wards 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8, which have historically experienced higher rates of weather-related outages.
Overview
DC PLUG is a critical infrastructure initiative designed to strengthen the District's electric distribution system against severe weather events. By systematically placing overhead power lines underground, the program aims to reduce the frequency and severity of storm-related outages and improve overall system reliability for thousands of District residents. The program originated from the comprehensive 2013 Report of the Mayor's Power Line Undergrounding Task Force and addresses a fundamental vulnerability in the District's electric grid. Approximately half of the District is currently served by underground power lines, and DC PLUG is working to expand this network.
In addition to reliability improvements, DC PLUG supports economic development opportunities for District businesses and residents. The program prioritizes partnerships with Certified Business Enterprises, ensuring local businesses benefit from this substantial infrastructure investment while building local capacity for future projects.
Program Structure and Progress
DC PLUG is implemented through three biennial phases, each targeting specific feeders identified through vulnerability assessments and community impact analyses. Construction is ongoing across multiple feeders, and the DCPSC provides continuous oversight to ensure projects meet approved timelines, capital expenditures, and quality standards.
- First Biennial Plan ($134 million): This phase serves approximately 8,000 customers. Completed projects include work in American University Park, Hawthorne, Barnaby Woods, Chevy Chase and Friendship Heights. Three feeders in this phase have been completed and placed into service. Civil construction for two additional feeders was completed in Fall 2024, with electrical work and energization anticipated in 2025 and 2026. PS&E submission and revision is ongoing for the remaining one feeder.
- Second Biennial Plan ($264 million): This phase serves approximately 13,000 customers. Civil construction is either completed or underway for various feeders, with electrical work completion and energization expected from 2025 through 2029.
- Third Biennial Plan ($85 million): Approved by the DCPSC in January 2022, this plan targets an additional 5,000 customers. All feeders are currently in the design stage, with civil and electrical construction scheduled to occur through 2028.
Upon completion of all 20 feeders across the three phases, DC PLUG will provide enhanced reliability and resiliency to approximately 26,000 electric customers throughout the District.
Funding and Cost Recovery
The Electric Company Infrastructure Improvement Financing Amendment Act of 2017, effective July 11, 2017, authorizes the collection and use of charges by the District of Columbia and Pepco to finance the undergrounding of electric power lines and ancillary facilities. This Act governs the public-private partnership between Pepco and DDOT to bury overhead primary power lines and authorizes a combined total expenditure of no more than $500 million through a structured funding mechanism:
- Pepco contribution: $250 million for utility infrastructure improvements.
- DDOT contribution: $187.5 million for street and infrastructure coordination.
- District capital budget: Up to $62.5 million for additional infrastructure support.
Costs are recovered through two mechanisms on customers' electric bills:
- Underground Projects Charge (UPC): Recovers Pepco's costs for DC PLUG and appears as a separate surcharge on customer bills.
- Underground Rider: Recovers DDOT's costs for DC PLUG and is incorporated into the overall distribution charge.
The DCPSC conducts annual reviews of these cost recovery mechanisms to ensure transparency and to monitor their impact on District residents.
Get More Information
For detailed construction schedules, project maps, and community notifications, visit dcpluginfo.com.
To receive updates on DC PLUG proceedings before the Commission, subscribe to notifications for Formal Case No. 1159 (Second Biennial Plan) and/or Formal Case No. 1168 (Third Biennial Plan).
For questions or feedback about DC PLUG, please email the Commission Secretary or call (202) 626-5150.