The Office of the People’s Counsel today filed its response to the latest proposals in the ongoing drama that is the proposed Pepco-Exelon merger. Their answer: still nope.

After the Public Service Commission revised the terms for the proposed merger between Pepco and Exelon, throwing the deal into question, the companies came back with three alternatives to save the deal. In short they said they would be fine with the original agreement, the new terms set out by the PSC, or a compromise between the two … whatever, basically, so long as they could finally move forward with the $6.8 billion deal.

But People’s Counsel Sandra Mattavous-Frye rejected the proposed new terms, and continued to argue that the PSC should accept the original agreement. “Neither of the alternatives offered by the PSC or the joint applicants guarantees the type of rate protection I have been seeking in this case for almost two years,” Mattavous-Frye said in a statement. “OPC worked hard to achieve the guarantee of no rate increases for residential ratepayers through March 2019. We urge the PSC to resolve this issue expeditiously to bring closure for District residents.”

Opponents of the deal quickly cheered, claiming that this thing is pretty much dead.

“There is no viable path forward for Exelon’s attempt to take over Pepco. We agree with the Office of the People’s Counsel’s filing. D.C. is ready to move on,” said Anya Schoolman on behalf of the PowerDC Coalition.

Added Allison Fisher, the outreach director for Public Citizen’s Energy Program: “The message to Exelon is clear: it’s time to take their rate hikes and go back to Illinois.”

Said Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh: “It appears that the District and its ratepayers have, at long last, won a great victory.”

But Pepco and Exelon note that the whole thing is basically a power play over how the funds they’ve committed to the city are distributed, and expressed hope that they could still find a way forward.

“Practically every party that filed comments today continues to believe the merger is in the public interest and supports its approval. The comments show differing opinions on how a portion of the more than $78 million in funds that Exelon has committed to the District should be used if the merger is approved,” they said in a joint statement. “We hope the Public Service Commission will find a solution that secures all of the benefits for the District and Pepco’s customers and urge it to consider the alternatives we have outlined to approve the merger.”

The mayor’s office has not yet responded to a request for comment.