WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Customers across Washington, D.C. and Maryland are seeing a sharp rise in utility costs, as rate hikes collided with a bitter cold snap in the DMV, prompting even city lawmakers to share their bills.
Councilmember Robert White said his recent bill reached $1,100, while Councilmember Janeese Lewis George’s totaled $899.
The last few months have been some of the coldest on record. December 2025 and January 2026 were more than 14% colder than the 10-year average, forcing households to rely heavily on heating systems and driving up energy use.
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Recent rate changes also contributed. A multiyear electric rate increase approved in November 2024 added roughly $7.50 per month in 2025, while Washington Gas customers saw a 13% rate increase approved in December 2025, which boosted the utility’s return on equity to 10.5%. December 2025 also saw a 20% jump in Pepco disconnection notices…