DCPublicPower.org: Beyond Exelon-Pepco: Creating an Independent, Consumer-Owned Electric Utility in DC An Exelon-Pepco Merger will: --Increase energy rates for consumers and businesses --Shift control of DCs energy distribution and interconnection to Chicago --Undermine the District of Columbia's renewable-energy initiatives An Independent, Consumer-Owned Utility will: --Decrease rates for consumers and businesses --Maintain local control of DC's power supply and distribution --Accelerate the adoption of renewable energy in DC Recent news that the Maryland Public Service Commission has approved the proposed Exelon-Pepco merger by a

vote of 3-2 (http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-pepco-merger-decision-20150515-story.html#page=1) puts more pressure on the three-member DC Public Service Commission to do the same in late August, when its decision is expected. A Consumer-Owned Utility in DC is the best response to a possible Exelon-Pepco merger, regardless of what the DC Public Service Commission decides. Join us as we explore the opportunity to take charge of our energy future and create the electric utility we want as DC residents and ratepayers.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015 ~ Free ~ University of DC (UDC) School of Law 4340 Connecticut Avenue, NW (west side), 4th Floor 5 pm Hors D'oeuvres 6 - 8:30 pm Program, Q and A 8:30 pm Reception

RSVP: DCPublicPower.org/TownHall Metro: Van Ness - UDC stop on the Red Line (http://www.wmata.com/rail/station_detail.cfm?station_id=9) Bus: L1, L2 Bus Lines (http://www.wmata.com/bus/timetables/dc/l1-2-4.pdf) Keynote Speaker Ward 3 DC Councilmember Mary M. Cheh, Chair, Committee on Transportation and the Environment Additional Speakers David Freeman, Amit Ronen, Heather Bailey, John Kelly, Michael Siegel and Michael Overturf Unlike investor-owned utilities like Exelon and Pepco, an independent, locally controlled, consumer-owned electric utility will be directly accountable to the people it serves and will deliver reliable electric service at lower rates. It can work exclusively for the interests of DC ratepayers and will not be torn by conflicts between

shareholders, corporate managers, ratepayers and regulators. A publicly-owned utility will not be subject to merger threats and will help create more alternative energy options for DC residents so that by the year 2020, 20% (or more) of the electricity consumed in the District would be from renewable resources, as required by the District Renewable Portfolio Standard. A consumer-owned utility can access lower-cost financing through

public credit markets. Lower capital and operating costs can be passed on to DC ratepayers and/or to provide financing incentives for solar rooftops and other alternatives.

If Exelon's proposed acquisition of Pepco doesn't go through, Pepco's assets will continue to be in play, as Pepco has signaled its desire to exit the DC market. The DC City Council has the ultimate authority over its electric distribution system by virtue of the Council's ability to exercise eminent domain and its ownership and control of the public right-of-way. To assure that current and future DC residents, businesses, and ratepayers are not irrevocably harmed by the possible Exelon-Pepco merger, the DC Council can pass a resolution and/or other necessary legislation to establish its intent to form a cooperative, a public power district, or a municipally-chartered utility to operate its electrical distribution system, similar to how DC Water is organized. More than 2,000 community-owned electric utilities serve more than 46 million people across the United States, in such places as Seattle and Tacoma Washington; Eugene, Oregon; Los Angeles and Sacramento California; Austin, Texas; Cleveland and Columbus Ohio; Jacksonville, Florida; Memphis and Nashville Tennessee; and the entire State of Nebraska. This Town Hall is sponsored by DC Public Power (http://www.dcpublicpower.org/), a newly created organization whose mission is to educate and promote the benefits of an independent, consumer-owned electric utility for the District of Columbia. DCPP has applied for nonprofit status with the IRS. Read our comments to the DC Public Service Commission on Exelon-Pepco: MO01_3232015_936_1_DCPSC_Submittal_DCPP_032315.pdf

Mary Rowse MERowse@ aol.com 202-362-9279