Fresh off its completed (if not entirely settled) merger with Exelon Corp., Pepco is asking for rate increases for its local customers.
On Tuesday the utility filed a request to raise rates on its Maryland customers about 10 percent on the average monthly bill, which is about $152, or about $15.80 per customer. The utility is asking for the rates to kick in May 19, which would bring in almost $127 million.
But the company is also planning on asking for a rate increase for its D.C. customers later this year, according to Pepco spokesman Vince Morris. The utility did not give details on the size or scope of the potential increase or the specific timing of its D.C. request.
The potential for rate increases on customers in D.C. sparked an intense back-and-forth between District officials, commercial entities and the two utilities during the course of the merger negotiations over the last year. At issue was the proper way to insulate residents from rate increases and whether government agencies and businesses should be included.