D.C.'s utility regulator has massive influence over what we pay on our utility bills and if we meet our net-zero climate commitments. Over the last four years, Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Thompson and Commissioner Trabue have used that power to approve $500 million in utility spending on fossil fuels and rate hikes that raise our bills. Now, they want to be reappointed to their jobs and the decision is up to the D.C. Council.
If you’ve had enough of high bills and fossil fuels, call today to ask your Councilmembers to REJECT the reappointment of Chairman Thompson and Commissioner Trabue to another four years at the PSC.
STEP ONE: Look up what Ward you're in.
Click HERE to find your ward, or type in https://planning.dc.gov/whatsmyward
STEP TWO: Dial the phone.
First call our primary targets!
- Chairman Phil Mendelson: (202) 724-8032
- At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson: (202) 724-8105
- At-Large Councilmember Doni Crawford: (202) 724-7772
Then, call your Councilmember, and 1-2 other ‘at-large’ Councilmembers:
- Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau: (202) 724-8181
- Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto: (202) 724-8058
- Ward 3 Councilmember Matt Frumin: (202) 724-8062
- Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George: (202) 724-8052
- Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker: (202) 724-8028
- Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen: (202)724-8072
- Ward 7 Councilmember Wendell Felder: (202) 724-8068
- Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White: (202) 724-8045
- At-Large Councilmember Robert White Jr: (202)-724-8174
- At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds: (202) 724-8064
STEP 3: Use the talking points below (but please personalize!):
At the start of your call: State your name and where you live (address, neighborhood, or ward)
Say: “Hi! My name is _______, and I am a Ward ___ resident and I have lived in DC for ________ years. I am calling to ask Councilmember ______ to oppose the reappointments of Public Service Commission Chairman Thompson and Commissioner Trabue. Chairman Thompson and Commissioner Trabue have approved over $500 million in utility spending and rate hikes while on the Commission, and now utility bills are higher than ever."
Then give your story!
Optional Additional Talking Points:
- Repeated rate hikes
- 13% rate hike for Washington Gas in 2025, even as 1 in 7 customers are behind on bills
- 2024 Pepco multi-year rate hike was rejected by the DC Court of Appeals for approval without enough evidence…meanwhile residents have been paying higher bills for years
- Pricey fossil fuels spending
- $150 million approved for District SAFE in March 2026, despite years of opposition to accelerated pipeline replacement
- $59M in Project Pipes extensions in 2025
- Now, Washington Gas's system valued at 70% more in only two years, a nearly unheard of increase
- Unanswered questions
- Stopped short and got us no real answers on if Washington Gas uses our ratepayer money to lobby
- Potentially allowing us to pay for abandoned pipes TWICE – through Project Pipes AND depreciation rates.
- No plan for the future
- Continue to ask utilities to lead planning for DC’s energy future, leaving DC behind on building solar to lower electric bills.
Tips for your call:
- Councilmembers hear from their constituents on issues all of the time. Most of the time, you will either speak with a staffer or leave a message. That still makes an impact; council staff keep track of every time a constituent calls about an issue.
- Introduce yourself, mention you are a constituent, and state your neighborhood or ward.
- Keep your message short and personalize it.
- Thank the staffer you speak to for their time.
STEP 4: Submit the form letting us know how it went!
