THE LATEST<\/p>\n
Gas is now fueling the ongoing debate over high utility bills in D.C.<\/p>\n
The D.C. Public Service Commission is holding a pair of hearings this week on Washington Gas\u2019 ongoing plans to replace its aging pipes<\/a> across the city. Over the last decade, some 50 miles of pipes \u2014 some dating back to the 1940s \u2014 have been swapped out; the utility company told NOTUS that continuing the effort is \u201cessential to maintaining a safe, reliable, and resilient energy system for the more than 160,000 customers we serve in the District.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb is opposed to Washington Gas\u2019 plan. He says<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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. \u201cA jurisdiction with the nation\u2019s highest concentration of the nation\u2019s most dangerous pipe material is the last jurisdiction that should slow down,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The Public Service Commission will use the two hearings to craft the specifics of the next portion of Washington Gas\u2019 pipe replacement plans. The utility says it is focused on \u201ccompleting this work efficiently and responsibly, while keeping customer affordability top of mind.\u201d But Schwalb wants any approved plan to \u201ckeep the community safe from dangerous gas leaks \u2026 and protect ratepayers from excessive and unwarranted rate increases.\u201d<\/p>\n Utility prices will be back on the commission\u2019s docket in October, when regulators will again take up a controversial multiyear rate increase<\/a> requested by Pepco.<\/p>\n FROM THE DISTRICT<\/p>\n Start your engines. Construction is underway at the National Mall, where the Freedom 250<\/a> Grand Prix<\/a> will take place next month, ABC7 reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n There are delays on Metro\u2019s Red Line \u2014 just not the ones you\u2019re used to. A plan for a 434-unit residential development on the Takoma Metro station\u2019s parking lot is facing setbacks due to high construction costs, challenges securing financing and complications delivering promised affordable units, reports UrbanTurf<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n FROM VIRGINIA<\/p>\n The son of Eric Bieniemy, the Commanders\u2019 former offensive coordinator, has been arrested and charged with shooting his mother in their Ashburn home, The Associated Press reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n FROM MARYLAND<\/p>\n A Montgomery County Council member said last week that firefighters violated a county law prohibiting voluntary ICE cooperation, The Banner reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n GUESS THE LISTING<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 1118 Orchard Way, Silver Spring, MD 20904<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Guess where this listing is sold:<\/p>\n Maryland<\/a>Virginia<\/a>D.C.<\/a><\/p>\n We\u2019ll let you know tomorrow how many of you got it right.<\/p>\n SPORTS<\/p>\n The Commanders\u2019 new offensive coordinator is young \u2014 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\u2019s offense back to life.<\/p>\n In a deep-dive profile<\/a>, NOTUS\u2019 Martenzie Johnson talked to Blough\u2019s friends, family and former teammates about what makes him the man for the job.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n What to Watch Today<\/p>\n MLB: Nationals vs. Blue Jays, 6:45 p.m. (MLB.TV<\/a>)<\/p>\n WNBA: Mystics vs. Sun, 7:30 p.m. (Monumental<\/a>)<\/p>\n Thank you for reading! If you liked this newsletter, please forward it to a friend. If someone shared it with you, please sign up<\/a> \u2014 it\u2019s free! Got a tip or comments to share? Email us at metro@notus.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n The newsletter was produced by Jaden Amos, Michael Errigo and Andrew Burton. Photo courtesy of HomeVisit Photography. Finally, yesterday\u2019s trivia answer was B) wine. A special shout-out to David Shaw, who answered first.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Good morning, D.C. In today\u2019s newsletter: sky-high utility bills, development delays and the Commanders\u2019 new offensive coordinator. 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