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Va. delegate urges Metro compact changes

By Max Smith

WASHINGTON — Virginia could begin a push to make detailed changes to the compact that defines how Metro is managed and funded.

The resolution introduced in the House of Delegates by Del. Jim LeMunyon, R-Oak Hill, would ask the governor to “engage in discussions” with Maryland and the District aimed at specific improvements to Metro’s governance, financing and operations.

Among the specific issues referenced in the resolution are: the size of the Metro Board and the qualifications of its members; whether binding arbitration used for labor discussions in order to prevent strikes should be removed; financial changes to address the costs of operations and a $2.5 billion unfunded pension and other post-employment benefits liability.

The resolution would not require any changes to the compact, but rather would direct any negotiations.

Metro hopes for temporary Dupont, Farragut North cooling fix this summer

By Max Smith
WASHINGTON — Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld stood Monday next to the Metro chiller pumps sitting idle for a third straight year about 40 feet below Connecticut Avenue Northwest and said he hopes — but cannot promise — that a temporary fix for the cooling system for Dupont Circle and Farragut North will be in place at some point this summer. Pipes connecting the chiller vault to a cooling tower about 500 feet south on Connecticut Avenue and 13 stories up have been leaking since at least 2015. Metro believes those 500 feet of pipes are the only issue that has kept the stations from being cooled by the shared chiller plant since then.
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