July 2022
Member Spotlight
Throughout 2022, SECC will recognize one member every month, providing an organizational profile and highlighting the member's accomplishments in the smart energy space.
About Office of the People’s Counsel (OPC-DC)
The Office of the People’s Counsel is an independent agency of the District of Columbia government. By law, the Office advocates for consumers of natural gas, electric, water and telephone services. The Office also represents the interests of District utility ratepayers before the DC Public Service Commission, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Federal Communications Commission, other utility regulatory bodies and the courts. Sandra Mattavous-Frye, Esq. is serving her third term as People's Counsel after an initial mayoral appointment and legislative confirmation in 2011.
OPC Climate Change Mission
OPC promotes climate change solutions through legal and legislative advocacy, education and empowerment of consumers in all eight wards of the city. OPC works to ensure the District meets its ambitious goals of reducing carbon emissions – climate change pollution – 50 percent by 2032 and 100 percent by 2050 in a just, equitable, affordable and resilient manner.
Consumer Advocacy and Education
OPC’s Consumer Services and Water Services Divisions work directly with consumers to resolve thousands of utility service inquiries and complaints annually. In addition to meeting the needs of individual consumers, OPC outreach specialists provide educational presentations to an array of community, business, nonprofit and government stakeholder groups engaged in the utility regulatory and social service support processes. These connections help consumers access the knowledge and program resources available to gain the maximum benefit from their utility dollar.
Legal Advocacy: Before the DC Public Service Commission
OPC’s advocacy role before the DC Public Service Commission is to represent the interests of DC ratepayers by advancing policy positions and proposals that ensure utility service is affordable, safe, adequate and reliable. Now, with the added responsibility to meet the climate objectives of the DC government, OPC actively considers the environmental goals of the Mayor and DC Council in developing fact-based policy positions that yield tangible short- and long-term benefits to consumers and the environment.
Advocacy Before the FCC, FERC and PJM
OPC advocates on behalf of District consumers before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in telecom matters as a member of the FCC’s Consumer Advisory Committee on behalf of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates. OPC representatives have led or participated in FCC working groups to develop recommendations to the FCC and Congress on mitigating robocalls, illegal text blocking, consumer broadband labeling and 9-1-1 fee diversion.
In addition, OPC represents District ratepayers before the federal government and in stakeholder processes impacting the wholesale electric markets and regional transmission planning, advocating for just and reasonable rates and a cost-effective and reliable transition to a low-carbon energy future.
OPC is a member of PJM Interconnection, LLC (PJM), the grid operator for the Mid-Atlantic, and of the Consumer Advocates of the PJM States, Inc., actively participating in PJM stakeholder meetings and voting on behalf of District ratepayers’ interests.
Advocacy Regarding DC Water
Pursuant to the DC Water Consumer Protection Amendment Act of 2018, OPC is the statutory representative of water utility ratepayers and consumers in rulemaking proceedings before the DC Water Board of Directors, DC Water administrative hearings, the local and federal regulatory agencies and courts, and the DC Council.
