Pepco, Mid-Atlantic Utilities Ask Customers To Conserve Power:Heat Drives Record Demand for Electricity

For Immediate Release
July 27, 2005

Pepco and the other regional utilities today requested that the public conserve electricity because of record demands for power due to the intense heat and humidity in the Mid-Atlantic States and Virginia.

Pepco’s 725,000 customers demanded greater amounts of power this week to run air-conditioners and set two consecutive record peaks.  The previous peak-demand record of 6,364 megawatts set July 29, 2002, was surpassed Monday at 5 p.m. and was topped again Tuesday with an estimated peak of more than 6,700 MW between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.  There is the possibility of a new peak demand record today.

The total estimated usage Tuesday—131,564 MW Hours-- is also an all-time record for Pepco customers.

While the PJM Interconnection, the electricity grid operator for the region, expects to have enough electricity to meet the heavy demand for power, the company is asking electric customers to use energy prudently to help prevent possible power problems.  

Pepco offers the following conservation tips:

• Close curtains and blinds to keep out the sun and retain cooler air inside your home, apartment or business,
• Postpone using major heat-producing appliances like electric stoves and clothes dryers until the evening hours,
• Set your air-conditioner thermostat higher than usual if health permits, and
• Turn off non-essential lights, appliances and equipment.

Pepco will continue to monitor conditions and will request the public’s assistance as necessary.  PJM is communicating about the situation with state government officials.

While Pepco expects to have enough electricity to meet the demands for power, the PJM regional power pool, of which Pepco is a member, may be required to initiate further operational procedures to preserve the integrity of the region’s electric power grid.  The PJM-East pool serves 22 million customers in all or parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

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Pepco, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: POM), delivers safe, reliable and affordable electric service to more than 725,000 customers in Maryland and the District of Columbia.