Councilman Allen Urges Bowser to Protest Proposed Pepco-Exelon Merger

Councilman Charles Allen of Ward 6 is urging Mayor Muriel Bowser to fight the proposed $6.4 billion sale of Pepco to a Chicago-based energy company.

Allen and other D.C. leaders told the mayor today that Exelon’s planned acquisition of Pepco could increase locals’ electricity bills and thwart the District’s clean energy plan. He was joined at a news conference in front of the Wilson Building by Councilwoman Mary Cheh of Ward 3 and ANC commissioners.

Last month, Allen and other D.C. officials sent a letter with similar concerns to the D.C. Public Service Commission. The PSC must approve the merger in order for Pepco to complete its sale to Exelon.

“My constituents have spoken up loud and clear against this merger — it’s a bad deal for D.C.,” Allen said in a statement.

Michael Czin, a spokesman for Bowser, said the mayor’s lawyers still are examining the planned acquisition.

“As the last jurisdiction to review the merger, the Bowser administration is committed to negotiating a resolution that best serves the interests of District residents and rate payers,” Czin said in a statement.

Myra Oppel, a Pepco spokeswoman, said her company’s deal with Exelon would bring savings to customers, among other benefits to the District.

“A number of parties made constructive proposals, and in response, we substantially enhanced our proposed package to deliver even more value to the District and its citizens,” Oppel said in a statement. “Unfortunately, a few parties have taken a ‘just say no’ position on the merger which, in our view, ignores the immediate and long-term benefits to customers and to the District that will not be available if the merger does not go forward.”

The PSC is accepting comments from the public on the proposed acquisition until May 27. The commission is expected to reach a decision on the planned merger this summer.

Photo via Flickr/Public Citizen