Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett told the the County Council Tuesday morning he wants to take a less active role in regulatory proceedings against Pepco.
In an effort to create new regulations and increase reliability, a panel established by Leggett published a report in February detailing Montgomery County residents’ problems with Pepco service over the previous year. According to the report, power outages have cost residents between $22.9 and $114.6 million and businesses between $21.1 and $211 million in the last year.
Leggett said he plans to submit the report as part of the regulatory proceeding but not take a more active role. Many of the council members, however, thought that would be a mistake.
Councilwoman Nancy Floreen, D-at large, said she was “astounded.”
“The cost to the county has been in gazillions,” she said. “How can you justify not being actively engaged?”
Council President Valerie Ervin, D-Silver Spring, said her constituents would not be happy with the decision. The county government made a commitment to get Pepco back on the right track, she said, and it needs to follow through.
Taking an active role in the proceedings could cost the county hundreds of thousands of dollars and occupy two to three weeks of his office’s time, Leggett said. The county issued the report as promised, he said, but taking further action would not have more impact than simply handing over the report.
Citing 25 years of legal experience, Councilman Roger Berliner disagreed with both of Leggett’s arguments.
If the county doesn’t participate actively in the regulatory proceedings, it won’t be able to influence the decision makers, and it won’t be able to file an appeal further down the line, he said.
