Press Release: DCPSC Approves Second Biennial Plan for DC PLUG

News Release — DC Public Service Commission

For Immediate Release: January 28, 2020

Contact: Kellie Didigu

(Washington, D.C.) The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (Commission) has approved the Joint Application of Pepco and the District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Second Biennial Underground Infrastructure Improvement Projects Plan and the Financing Order Application (Formal Case No. 1159, Order No. 20285).  The Order addresses the technical aspects of system design, construction, and operation of the Biennial Plan and the D.C. Power Line Undergrounding (DC PLUG) Education Plan.

DC PLUG is a multi-year program designed to migrate up to 30 of the District’s most vulnerable overhead distribution lines underground, taking place over six to eight years. Construction has begun for DC PLUG. Activity will occur in areas with the most vulnerable overhead lines: Wards 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8.  It is a joint effort between the Commission, the Office of the Mayor, the City Council, Pepco, DDOT and other government agencies to improve the electric service reliability and reduce the impact of storm-related outages in the District. 

Chairman Willie L. Phillips stated, “Since 1999, the Commission has monitored Pepco’s system outage and restoration efforts during storms, including the impact of storms on Pepco’s overhead power lines. By directing Pepco to undertake measures to mitigate the impact of severe weather on its system, this Order allows Pepco and DDOT to address the concerns that many District residents and Pepco customers have had over the years regarding system reliability and resilience.”

Within 90 days of the Order, Pepco will identify the estimated start date and projected end date for each project approved in the Underground Infrastructure Improvements Projects Plan. Pepco will also file all revised tariff sheets and the proposed rate design, including the Underground Project Charge Rider and the Underground Rider within ten days of the Order. Pepco and DDOT must also submit a compliance filing within 90 days of the Order outlining: system design, utility coordination meetings, annual revenue requirements, a reconciliation of the $60 million First Biennial Plan DDOT Charge, and confirmation that the Third Biennial Plan will conform to the $500 million statutory spending limits.

The Commission also directed Pepco to file a report on the status of the Benning Area Reliability Plan (BARP) within 30 days from the Order. The report must contain the status of all pending work, including a timeline for completion and all budgeted and actual expenditures to date. The Commission further directed Pepco to provide periodic reports on the reliability improvements achieved from the BARP.

Every two years, Pepco and DDOT will file an application with the DCPSC for approval of a Biennial Plan for DC PLUG.  The Biennial Plan will consist of DDOT’s Underground Electric Company Infrastructure Improvement Activity and Pepco’s Infrastructure Activity planned to be executed over a two-year period. 

For additional information about the DC PLUG Initiative, visit the Commission website at http://dcpsc.org.

The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia is an independent agency established by Congress in 1913 to regulate electric, natural gas, and telecommunications companies in the District of Columbia.

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