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Commission Grants OPC’s Motion To Strike In Pepco’s Application For Adjustments To Retail Rates For Electricity Distribution
Re: Potomac Electric Power Company’s Application for Adjustments to its Retail Rates for the Distribution of Electric Energy
From Order:
On November 28, 2023, the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel (“OPC”) filed a Motion to Strike Potomac Electric Power Company’s (“Pepco” or “Company”) Proposed Climate Solutions Programs from the Company’s pending multi-year rate case. [ *** ]
In its Motion, OPC requests that the Commission strike Pepco’s Proposed Climate Solutions Programs from the multi-year rate case proceeding for two primary reasons. First, OPC argues that consideration of the Climate Solutions Programs would require that the Commission make major policy decisions about electrification and the Company’s and its ratepayers’ roles in electrification in a rate case proceeding which OPC contends is not designed for such decision making. Second, OPC contends that “Pepco’s proposal to ratebase the cost of rebates to fund customer-side equipment and upgrades is contrary to established ratemaking principles, which authorize utilities to collect a rate of return on property that it owns and uses to provide service to customers.” A third reason OPC offers for removing Pepco’s Proposed Climate Solutions Programs from the Company’s MYP 2 is that all the programs could be appropriately considered in other active Commission dockets. [ *** ]
ORDERED that: (1) with the exception of the Smart Inverter Pilot Program, the Office of People’s Counsel’s Motion to Strike Pepco’s Proposed Climate Solutions Programs in this docket is granted without prejudice; and (2) the Potomac Electric Power Company may file its Climate Solutions Programs in another docket in total or as amended in separate related dockets.
