Pennsylvania Avenue Great Streets Project Update
Story at a Glance
* Phase 1 of construction starts May 15
* New Traffic patterns and lane closures
* Drivers can expect additional 15 minute delays
Washington, DC) – The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is making progress on the Pennsylvania Avenue Great Streets Project, a $30 million construction project east of the Anacostia River that is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
The project is on schedule and on budget. DDOT is wrapping up preliminary work and will start Phase 1 of the construction between 27th Street and Branch Avenue, SE on or about May 15, 2010. The work will include the reconstruction of the roadway and sidewalks on the south side of Pennsylvania Avenue, which will require lane closures and a shift in the traffic patterns. Residents and motorists should be aware of the following important changes:
* The far-right eastbound lane and sidewalk will be closed and marked off with barriers, although residents and business owners will still be able to access their driveways.
* DDOT will maintain three open travel lanes at all times. A reversible lane will ensure there are two lanes for peak traffic during rush hours, and one lane for traffic in the opposite direction.
* Temporary, overhead lane-signals will be placed along the corridor to indicate the correct inbound and outbound lanes for motorists.
* Motorists are encouraged to look for the overhead signals of green ‘arrows’ and red ‘Xs’ as you travel along the roadway. This will aid in knowing what lanes are open in the direction you are traveling on the corridor.
* DDOT advises drivers to add 15 minutes to their commutes to cover the additional delays that are anticipated during the project. If possible, motorists are encouraged to use mass transit or alternate routes.
The Pennsylvania Avenue Great Streets project covers 2 miles of construction, from 200 ft. west of 27th Street to Southern Avenue. It will dramatically improve the physical character of the corridor and enhance transportation operations and safety for all users. The construction is scheduled to be completed in several phases over the next two (2) years.
To obtain more information about this project, you can visit our field office at 2410 Minnesota Avenue, SE. go online at www.greatstreetspennave.com or Contact DDOT’s Project Engineer Luan Tran at 202-671-4649.
12 May 2010
11 May 2010
WASA Credit Rating
Pamela Mooring
Two Principal Credit Rating Agencies Upgrade DC WASA Bond Ratings
May 04, 2010 -- Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings, two of the three principal credit rating agencies, upgraded the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC WASA) credit ratings. Moody’s upgraded DC WASA from Aa3 to Aa2 for senior lien revenue bonds. Fitch upgraded the Authority from AA- to AA for senior lien revenue bonds. DC WASA continues to be rated with a “stable” outlook by Moody’s and a “positive” outlook by Fitch.
The upgrade by both credit rating agencies was due to their independent decision to rate DC WASA and other utilities as private enterprises, whereas in the past they were rated as government agencies.
Standard and Poor’s, performed their industry recalibration in 2008 and upgraded DC WASA at that time.
“This is the third consecutive year that DC WASA has received a rating or outlook upgrade,” said DC WASA General Manager George S. Hawkins. “Not only is this a win for DC WASA, but also for our customers—who benefit when we pay lower interest rates, since debt financing accounts for 24 percent of our operating budget.”
“In addition,” added Olu Adebo, DC WASA Chief Financial Officer, “entering this solid AA category expands our base of buyers in the retail and institutional market.” Last year, the Authority had tremendous success going to the bond market, with all $300 million in bonds sold to retail and institutional investors in one day.
About The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority
The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC WASA), is an industry leading multi-jurisdictional regional utility that provides drinking water, wastewater collection and treatment to more than 500,000 residential, commercial and governmental customers in the District of Columbia, and also collects and treats wastewater for 1.6 million customers in Montgomery and Prince Georges counties in Maryland and Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia.
DC WASA’s service area covers approximately 725 square miles and the company operates the world’s largest advanced wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 370 million gallons per day and has a peak capacity of 1.076 billion gallons per day.
Two Principal Credit Rating Agencies Upgrade DC WASA Bond Ratings
May 04, 2010 -- Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings, two of the three principal credit rating agencies, upgraded the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC WASA) credit ratings. Moody’s upgraded DC WASA from Aa3 to Aa2 for senior lien revenue bonds. Fitch upgraded the Authority from AA- to AA for senior lien revenue bonds. DC WASA continues to be rated with a “stable” outlook by Moody’s and a “positive” outlook by Fitch.
The upgrade by both credit rating agencies was due to their independent decision to rate DC WASA and other utilities as private enterprises, whereas in the past they were rated as government agencies.
Standard and Poor’s, performed their industry recalibration in 2008 and upgraded DC WASA at that time.
“This is the third consecutive year that DC WASA has received a rating or outlook upgrade,” said DC WASA General Manager George S. Hawkins. “Not only is this a win for DC WASA, but also for our customers—who benefit when we pay lower interest rates, since debt financing accounts for 24 percent of our operating budget.”
“In addition,” added Olu Adebo, DC WASA Chief Financial Officer, “entering this solid AA category expands our base of buyers in the retail and institutional market.” Last year, the Authority had tremendous success going to the bond market, with all $300 million in bonds sold to retail and institutional investors in one day.
About The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority
The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC WASA), is an industry leading multi-jurisdictional regional utility that provides drinking water, wastewater collection and treatment to more than 500,000 residential, commercial and governmental customers in the District of Columbia, and also collects and treats wastewater for 1.6 million customers in Montgomery and Prince Georges counties in Maryland and Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia.
DC WASA’s service area covers approximately 725 square miles and the company operates the world’s largest advanced wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 370 million gallons per day and has a peak capacity of 1.076 billion gallons per day.
20 November 2009
WASHINGTON GAS APPEALS PSC'S $350K FINE
On January 14, and February 29, 2008, Washington Gas Light Company asked the D.C. Court of Appeals to review the PSC's September 28, 2007 order Nos. 14587 and 14262 fining WGL $350,000
for its failure to provide the Commission a requested document during the course of WGL's rate proceeding, Formal Case 1054.
In investigating WGL's rate increase request, the Office of the People's Counsel requested a number of documents from WGL, including its June 19, 2007 contract with Accenture for business process outsourcing. In addition to OPC, OPEIU Local 2 union and Commission staff requested a copy of the entire June 19, 2007 contract between WGL and Accenture. WGL objected to providing the documents to all the parties.
On July 19, 2007, OPC filed a motion to compel the production of the documents with the PSC. OPC provided additional information for the motion on July 20, 2007.The Commission ordered WGL to provide it with copies of the depreciation documents and the complete, unredacted agreement with Accenture on July 21, 2007. WGL provided the Commission with the requested accounting documents, but only provided an incomplete, redacted and unsigned copy of the Accenture agreement. On July 23, the first day of the evidentiary hearings, the PSC ordered WGL to produce copies of the documents to the parties by 5:00 p.m. that day. WGL told the Commission at the hearing it would not do so, and the PSC suspended the hearings.
On September 28, the PSC denied WGL's request for the Commission to reconsider its order to provide the documents and again ordered the Company to provide them to the parties. In a separate order issued that same day, the PSC fined WGL $350,000 for its failure to provide the Commission with a complete, unredacted copy of the WGL/Accenture contract when it was initially ordered to do so.
As a result of the Commission's orders fining WGL, the Company appealed. OPC filed a notice of intervention with the D.C. Court of Appeals supporting the Commission's orders upholding the $350,000 fine. WGL filed its brief on April 21, 2008, and a reply brief on June 25. OPC and the PSC filed briefs on June 4. The court set oral arguments for September 2008.
PEPCO’S $51.7 MILLION RATE INCREASE BID
Dear Consumers,
The D.C. Office of the People’s Counsel, your ratepayer advocate, is alerting you to Public Hearings scheduled before the D.C. Public Service Commission in Formal Case No. 1076. OPC is seeking your input on PEPCO’s request for a $51.7 million increase in its electric distribution rates. OPC is calling for a $10.4 million decrease in PEPCO’s current rates.
OPC is challenging components of PEPCO’s request for a rate increase because the Company has not provided adequate justification to support its proposed increase.
OPC believes this case raises critical issues utility consumers face now and will face in the future. For example,
1) PEPCO seeks to shift certain business risks from Company shareholders to consumers with no guarantee that service quality will be improved.
2) PEPCO has failed to adhere to its statutory mandate to provide District consumers safe, adequate and reliable electric service.
3) PEPCO has not detailed how consumers/ratepayers will be prepared and educated for a wave of future technologies, such as smart meters and the Smart Grid, or how the costs of these new technologies will be allocated.
OPC believes it is important for consumers to understand that this rate increase request is part of a continuing march toward higher electric bills. Residential rates over a five year period have increased by 98 %. For example, in 2004, a residential consumer paid $49.00 for 750kWh per month. Today, the same consumer will pay $97.00 per month even before PEPCO’s requested rates are increased. If PEPCO’s request is approved in its entirety, consumers will pay an additional $6.43 each month.
These are your dollars and your service. It is imperative that you attend at least one of the community hearings and raise your issues and voice your concerns on the public record.
To participate in the hearings, you should sign up in advance by contacting the Commission Secretary at 202-626-5150 by the close of business, at least 3 days before each hearing and ask to be placed on the public witness list.
Persons with special needs are encouraged to call the Public Service Commission in advance to assist with any arrangements to facilitate your participation.
If for any reason you are unable to attend the hearings you may submit your written testimony to be included on the public record to Ms. Dorothy Wideman, Director, Office of the Commission Secretary, DC Public Service Commission, 1333 H St. NW Washington DC, 20010. You may also send your testimony by email to dwideman@psc.dc.org .
The three community hearings will convene at the following locations on the dates specified below:
| Chevy Chase Community Center 5601 Connecticut Avenue, NW Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 12 Noon
| DC Public Service Commission 1333 H Street NW Hearing Room 7th Floor East Tower Friday, November 20, 2009 10:00am
|
| Hilcrest Recreation Center 3100 Denver Street, SE Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 6:30 pm |
|
24 August 2009
DDOT Notice
N O T I C E
The north intersection of 4th and H Streets will be closed from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Wednesday, August 26, to accommodate placement of the streetcar track slab at that location.Traffic will be re-directed to 5th Street. Signs will be posted and flaggers will be on hand to assist motorists and pedestrians.The work is part of the District Department of Transportation’s H Street Reconstruction Project. The project includes installation of tracks for the new streetcar system that is in the planning stages.Thank you for your patience.
The north intersection of 4th and H Streets will be closed from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Wednesday, August 26, to accommodate placement of the streetcar track slab at that location.Traffic will be re-directed to 5th Street. Signs will be posted and flaggers will be on hand to assist motorists and pedestrians.The work is part of the District Department of Transportation’s H Street Reconstruction Project. The project includes installation of tracks for the new streetcar system that is in the planning stages.Thank you for your patience.
23 August 2009
District Opens Piers for Water Taxi Service to Nationals Park
District Opens Piers for Water Taxi Service to Nationals Park
Contact: Sean Madigan, (202) 615-2029 (cell)
(Washington, DC) – Mayor Adrian M. Fenty on Wednesday announced water taxi service is now available to Nationals Park by way of a District-built public pier at the new $8 million Diamond Teague Park on the Anacostia River.
“We’re committed to building a vibrant and dynamic world-class waterfront,” said Mayor Fenty. “And this is one more amenity that will serve both residents and visitors alike.”
Six local charter companies will operate about a dozen different vessels to the pier from locations including Maryland’s National Harbor and Old Town, Alexandria. Service will be available for home games at the park and other special events. The boat operators will use a new 250-foot commercial pier built for boats carrying up to 149 passengers.
The District is building a second pier at the park that will be used for environmental education and smaller non-motorized recreational boats.
The piers are a key piece of Diamond Teague Park, located at First Street and Potomac Avenue, SE–between the ballpark and the river. The half-acre park also connects the piers and the ballpark to the Anacostia Riverwalk, a 20-mile network of waterfront trails. Construction and planting work on the upland portion of the park is expected to be complete early this fall. The park is named after 19-year-old Earth Conservation Corps (ECC) member Diamond Teague who was murdered in 2003.
The ECC members–many live in communities along the river’s banks–work to improve the river’s health and protect the plant and animal species along its banks. The organization is working with Costal Properties, a marina operator, to manage the public piers.
For more information about water taxi service schedules contact the Gangplank Marina at (202) 554-5000.
Contact: Sean Madigan, (202) 615-2029 (cell)
(Washington, DC) – Mayor Adrian M. Fenty on Wednesday announced water taxi service is now available to Nationals Park by way of a District-built public pier at the new $8 million Diamond Teague Park on the Anacostia River.
“We’re committed to building a vibrant and dynamic world-class waterfront,” said Mayor Fenty. “And this is one more amenity that will serve both residents and visitors alike.”
Six local charter companies will operate about a dozen different vessels to the pier from locations including Maryland’s National Harbor and Old Town, Alexandria. Service will be available for home games at the park and other special events. The boat operators will use a new 250-foot commercial pier built for boats carrying up to 149 passengers.
The District is building a second pier at the park that will be used for environmental education and smaller non-motorized recreational boats.
The piers are a key piece of Diamond Teague Park, located at First Street and Potomac Avenue, SE–between the ballpark and the river. The half-acre park also connects the piers and the ballpark to the Anacostia Riverwalk, a 20-mile network of waterfront trails. Construction and planting work on the upland portion of the park is expected to be complete early this fall. The park is named after 19-year-old Earth Conservation Corps (ECC) member Diamond Teague who was murdered in 2003.
The ECC members–many live in communities along the river’s banks–work to improve the river’s health and protect the plant and animal species along its banks. The organization is working with Costal Properties, a marina operator, to manage the public piers.
For more information about water taxi service schedules contact the Gangplank Marina at (202) 554-5000.
DHS Announce Use of EBT Machines at Local Farmers' Markets
News Release for Immediate Release July 27, 2009
Mayor Fenty, DHS Announce Use of EBT Machines at Local Farmers' Markets
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and the Department of Human Services Income Maintenance Administration (DHS/IMA) announced that the District has installed wireless EBT machines at two new local famers’ market locations, 14th and U Street and Bloomingdale. A total of nine District farmers’ markets now have EBT machines, which allow individual farmers to accept food stamps and other food subsidies in exchange for produce.“I commend the Income Maintenance Administration and their community partners for working on this important initiative,” said Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. “As a result of this program, District residents participating in the District’s food financial assistance programs have increased affordability, as well as access, to fresh and local produce.”The new wireless EBT machines enable low income district residents to purchase fresh, seasonal produce from outdoor vendors. The District leads several states including Maryland, Connecticut, Georgia, and Wisconsin in the number of farmers’ markets that use EBT machines to accept food subsidies.DC Hunger Solutions installed the EBT machines using a grant from the USDA Famer’s Market Promotion program. With staff support from DHS Income Maintenance Administration, the new machines became functional this month.Farmers markets at the following locations accept Get Fresh checks and food stamps: • 14th and U. 14th and U Streets NW• Adams Morgan. 1800 Columbia Road NW• Bloomingdale. 1st and R Streets NW• Brookland. 12th and Newton St. NE• Mount Pleasant. Lamont St. and Mt. Pleasant St. NW.• RFK Open Air. 2700 Benning Road NE• Riverside/Heritage Park. 601 Division Avenue NE• Ward 8 Farmers’ Market. Alabama Avenue at 6th Street SE • FRESHFARM H Street Market. Between 609 9and 625 H St NEThe FRESHFARM H Street Market received $20,000 in grants from the Wholesome Wave Foundation and local organizations for its “Double Dollars” initiative. Participants in “Double Dollars” will receive $2 of produce for every $1 in District-sponsored food subsidies they spend. For more information on the DC Department of Health’s Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program, visit http://app.doh.dc.gov/services/wic/svc_farmers_market.shtm.
Mayor Fenty, DHS Announce Use of EBT Machines at Local Farmers' Markets
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and the Department of Human Services Income Maintenance Administration (DHS/IMA) announced that the District has installed wireless EBT machines at two new local famers’ market locations, 14th and U Street and Bloomingdale. A total of nine District farmers’ markets now have EBT machines, which allow individual farmers to accept food stamps and other food subsidies in exchange for produce.“I commend the Income Maintenance Administration and their community partners for working on this important initiative,” said Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. “As a result of this program, District residents participating in the District’s food financial assistance programs have increased affordability, as well as access, to fresh and local produce.”The new wireless EBT machines enable low income district residents to purchase fresh, seasonal produce from outdoor vendors. The District leads several states including Maryland, Connecticut, Georgia, and Wisconsin in the number of farmers’ markets that use EBT machines to accept food subsidies.DC Hunger Solutions installed the EBT machines using a grant from the USDA Famer’s Market Promotion program. With staff support from DHS Income Maintenance Administration, the new machines became functional this month.Farmers markets at the following locations accept Get Fresh checks and food stamps: • 14th and U. 14th and U Streets NW• Adams Morgan. 1800 Columbia Road NW• Bloomingdale. 1st and R Streets NW• Brookland. 12th and Newton St. NE• Mount Pleasant. Lamont St. and Mt. Pleasant St. NW.• RFK Open Air. 2700 Benning Road NE• Riverside/Heritage Park. 601 Division Avenue NE• Ward 8 Farmers’ Market. Alabama Avenue at 6th Street SE • FRESHFARM H Street Market. Between 609 9and 625 H St NEThe FRESHFARM H Street Market received $20,000 in grants from the Wholesome Wave Foundation and local organizations for its “Double Dollars” initiative. Participants in “Double Dollars” will receive $2 of produce for every $1 in District-sponsored food subsidies they spend. For more information on the DC Department of Health’s Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program, visit http://app.doh.dc.gov/services/wic/svc_farmers_market.shtm.
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