Last week, the Maryland Public Service Commission wisely rejected Pepco’s request for a $68 million rate hike, allowing them a more modest rate hike. Pepco had already been fined $1 million last December for its poor record of reliability prior to the June 29 derecho. And the utility’s performance in the aftermath of that storm made it clear that the commissioners made the right call. However, this week, petulant Pepco officials warned that without more money, their already poor service would get even worse.

Locals have heard such veiled threats before. Metro has repeatedly warned that rail service would deteriorate unless the transit agency got more money for neglected maintenance and equipment upgrades. Such threats won them repeated fare hikes and, in 2008, a $1.5 billion federal subsidy, yet Metro’s service continues to get worse, not better.