Good morning, D.C. In today’s newsletter: sky-high utility bills, development delays and the Commanders’ new offensive coordinator.
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THE LATEST
Gas is now fueling the ongoing debate over high utility bills in D.C.
Trending
The D.C. Public Service Commission is holding a pair of hearings this week on Washington Gas’ ongoing plans to replace its aging pipes across the city. Over the last decade, some 50 miles of pipes — some dating back to the 1940s — have been swapped out; the utility company told NOTUS that continuing the effort is “essential to maintaining a safe, reliable, and resilient energy system for the more than 160,000 customers we serve in the District.”
But opponents worry about the impact on residential bills and the environment. The next three-year pipe replacement plan is expected to cost $150 million, and D.C. consumers will see those costs factored into their monthly bills. That would come on top of rising Pepco bills, which the Public Service Commission is similarly getting heat for.
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb is opposed to Washington Gas’ plan. He says the pipe replacements thus far have been too expensive and have failed to contain some leaks. Environmental groups like the Sierra Club would rather see D.C. fully phase out natural gas and turn toward building electrification and renewable energy.
Some experts say replacing aging pipes in D.C. is critical. Speaking to the D.C. Council last month, former federal regulator Cynthia Quarterman said the city has more 1940s-vintage cast-iron gas pipes than almost anywhere else. “A jurisdiction with the nation’s highest concentration of the nation’s most dangerous pipe material is the last jurisdiction that should slow down,” she said.
The Public Service Commission will use the two hearings to craft the specifics of the next portion of Washington Gas’ pipe replacement plans. The utility says it is focused on “completing this work efficiently and responsibly, while keeping customer affordability top of mind.” But Schwalb wants any approved plan to “keep the community safe from dangerous gas leaks … and protect ratepayers from excessive and unwarranted rate increases.”
Utility prices will be back on the commission’s docket in October, when regulators will again take up a controversial multiyear rate increase requested by Pepco.
FROM THE DISTRICT
Start your engines. Construction is underway at the National Mall, where the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will take place next month, ABC7 reports.
There are delays on Metro’s Red Line — just not the ones you’re used to. A plan for a 434-unit residential development on the Takoma Metro station’s parking lot is facing setbacks due to high construction costs, challenges securing financing and complications delivering promised affordable units, reports UrbanTurf. Delays are nothing new for the project, which has been floating around for at least 15 years and hit just about every bureaucratic, political and civic snag possible.
FROM VIRGINIA
The son of Eric Bieniemy, the Commanders’ former offensive coordinator, has been arrested and charged with shooting his mother in their Ashburn home, The Associated Press reports.
FROM MARYLAND
A Montgomery County Council member said last week that firefighters violated a county law prohibiting voluntary ICE cooperation, The Banner reports.
GUESS THE LISTING
Listed for $1,200,000, this four-bedroom, five-bathroom home totaling more than 4,800 square feet features cathedral ceilings and two large garages.
Guess where this listing is sold:
We’ll let you know tomorrow how many of you got it right.
SPORTS
The Commanders’ new offensive coordinator is young — very young. At 30 years old, David Blough is not far removed from his NFL playing days. Now, as training camp gets underway this week, the former quarterback is tasked with bringing Washington’s offense back to life.
In a deep-dive profile, NOTUS’ Martenzie Johnson talked to Blough’s friends, family and former teammates about what makes him the man for the job.
In soccer news, the Spirit are now two points clear at the top of the NWSL table after a win against Denver Summit FC over the weekend.
What to Watch Today
MLB: Nationals vs. Blue Jays, 6:45 p.m. (MLB.TV)
WNBA: Mystics vs. Sun, 7:30 p.m. (Monumental)
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The newsletter was produced by Jaden Amos, Michael Errigo and Andrew Burton. Photo courtesy of HomeVisit Photography. Finally, yesterday’s trivia answer was B) wine. A special shout-out to David Shaw, who answered first.
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