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The Office of the People's Counsel is an independent agency of the District of Columbia government. By law, it is the advocate for consumers of natural gas, electric and telephone services in the District. District of Columbia law designates the Office as a party to all utility-related proceedings before the Public Service Commission. The Office also represents the interests of District ratepayers before federal regulatory agencies. The Office is authorized to investigate the operation and valuation of utility companies independently of any pending proceeding The Office's mandate is to advocate the provision of quality utility service and equitable treatment at rates that are just, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory to assist individual consumers in disputes with utility companies about billing or services; and to provide technical assistance and consumer education to the Consumer Utility Board ("CUB") and other community groups. Originally established by the United States Congress in 1926, the Office was eliminated by that body in a federal Executive Branch reorganization in 1952. Community concern in 1975 about rapidly rising electric rates resulted in the reestablishment of the Office by Congress through Public Law 93-88. The Office became an independent agency of the District of Columbia government on January 2, 1975.
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