This legislation to rein in utility profits, strengthen consumer protections, and expand affordable clean energy would be DC’s first major utility reform in 25 years.

WASHINGTON, DC — The D.C. Council Committee on Transportation and the Environment unanimously passed the GRID Act on Wednesday, November 4, a utility affordability bill designed to rein in rising energy costs, strengthen oversight of utility spending and profits, and give Washingtonians more power to generate clean, affordable energy locally. Introduced by Councilmember Charles Allen and cosponsored by Councilmembers Matt Frumin, Janeese Lewis George, Brianne Nadeau, Zachary Parker, and Brooke Pinto, the GRID Act would represent the District’s first major utility and Public Service Commission reform legislation in 25 years if enacted.

D.C. electric bills have increased 93% in just five years. Those costs fall especially hard on households with the least room in their budgets. A quarter of low-income D.C. households face a severe energy burden, spending at least 14% of household income on energy. The GRID Act would address these affordability challenges by strengthening scrutiny of utility spending, require regular audits, pause multiyear rate increases for 18 months, and tighten regulation of utility profits. Public Service Commission figures indicate that reforming utilities’ allowed return on equity alone could save ratepayers more than $50 million annually.

Alongside these protections, the legislation would legalize plug-in solar, streamline rooftop solar connections, encourage microgrids and building electrification, and offer customers optional rates that reward electricity use during less expensive hours. These reforms would help D.C. catch up on years of missed savings and clean-energy progress, giving D.C residents more power over their own power and more money back in their pockets. The GRID Act is set for its first full-Council vote next Tuesday. 

In response, Claire Mills, D.C. Director at Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) Action Fund, released the following statement:

“D.C. residents deserve utility bills they can afford and a real say in where their energy comes from. D.C. regulators have long left D.C. residents vulnerable to rising energy costs driven by the explosion of AI data centers in our region. Weak oversight has allowed utility costs and profits to grow while families face harder choices about how to pay their bills. The GRID Act puts the District back on track. 

The GRID Act would put affordability first by holding utilities accountable, opening the door to more local clean energy, and giving residents more power over their own power. We thank the Committee on Transportation and the Environment for unanimously advancing the GRID Act and making affordability a priority. Next Tuesday’s full City Council vote is an opportunity to build on that leadership and deliver real savings for Washingtonians.”

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Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) Action Fund is dedicated to driving change in public policies at the local, state and national level to address the climate crisis. Through voter education, lobbying, and participation in the electoral process, we seek to advance our country’s leadership in the global movement towards clean energy solutions — focusing our efforts primarily in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. We know that a vibrant democracy is central to our success so we work to defend democratic integrity wherever we can.