Sandra Mattavous-Frye, Esq. | 2024 Clean Energy Champion
People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia
“Mattavous-Frye structured the Office of the People’s Counsel to make solar and energy efficiency top priority issues. Under her leadership, the Office has become an important advocate for clean energy and for ensuring that it provides tangible benefits to all of DC’s residents.” - The Clean Energy States Alliance Board of Directors
Sandra Mattavous-Frye, Esq. is the People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia. The Office of the People's Counsel (OPC) is an independent agency of the District of Columbia's government, advocating for local consumers of utilities. As People’s Counsel, Attorney Mattavous-Frye is the statutory advocate representing DC consumers of natural gas, electric, water, and local telephone services. She is serving her fourth four-year term following re-nomination by District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and unanimous confirmation by the DC Council in March 2024.
"I am honored to be recognized by CESA. OPC values its partnership with CESA as we work together to ensure all communities, particularly the underserved, can equitably benefit from clean energy initiatives. I share this award with my staff at OPC, who are in the trenches advocating, educating, and protecting consumers in the District of Columbia on a daily basis," said Mattavous-Frye.
Mattavous-Frye established the OPC Energy Efficiency and Sustainability and the Climate Action Sections to ensure that DC meets its clean energy and climate goals in an equitable manner. She has served on the DC Sustainable Energy Utility Board since it was formed in 2011, led OPC’s participation in the District’s Solar for All task force, and commissioned the District’ s first Value of Solar study. Over the past three years, she has hosted a Community Conversation on Climate Change, a Youth Climate Summit, and a Citywide Clean Energy Forum.
Under Mattavous-Frye's leadership, OPC has played a crucial role in protecting ratepayers during key utility proceedings, including the Pepco-Exelon merger and the investigation into abusive marketing practices of third-party energy suppliers. She believes consumers must have a place at the table in the regulatory process.
Mattavous-Frye is the recipient of the Robert F. Manifold Lifetime Service Award, the highest honor awarded by the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates; the Outstanding Citizens Award from the DC Federation of Citizens Associations; the State Regulatory Practitioner Award from the Energy Bar Association; and the University of the District of Columbia Advocate for Justice Award. She is a graduate of Antioch School of Law (now the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clark Law School) and Howard University.