District of ColumbiaEmergency law restricted power shutoffs if court overturned rate plan
The temporary law barred electric companies from shutting off power over unpaid bills during a court-ordered rate plan gap and 15 days afterward, except when average unpaid debt exceeded $1,000 per home.
What it does
Electric companies could not shut off homes over unpaid bills during the gap after a court overturned an approved multiyear rate plan, or for 15 days afterward, unless the average unpaid amount exceeded $1,000 per home.
Argument forHouseholds with smaller unpaid balances could keep their power while regulators put a replacement rate plan in place.
Argument againstElectric companies could have less leverage to collect overdue bills from protected households while they cannot shut off power.
More detail
Electric companies could not shut off power over unpaid bills or fees during the covered period. The rule covered single-family homes and units in apartment buildings. The restriction did not apply when the average unpaid amount was more than $1,000 per home. For units without separate electricity measurements, the amount was the property's unpaid balance divided by its number of units at the proposed shutoff, whoever owed the debt. The restriction began after the court's order and lasted until 15 calendar days after a new rate plan was approved and put into use. The emergency act could last no more than 90 days.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 1Act A26-0316 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 006842, Expires on Jul 28, 2026Latest
- Apr 29Enacted without Mayor's Signature with Act Number A26-0316, Expires on Jul 28, 2026Became Law
- Apr 28Returned from Mayor
- Apr 13Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Apr 28, 2026To Governor
- Mar 31Final ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded Final Reading. Result: pass.Legislature
- Vote recorded Amendment (Allen). Result: pass.Legislature
- Mar 31Amendment (Allen)Minor
- Mar 31Retained by the Council
- Mar 30B26-0630 Introduced by Councilmember Lewis George at Office of the SecretaryIntroduced
Environment & EnergyConsumer Protection