For Immediate Release
October 18, 1999

W. A. Chester, L.L.C., a subsidiary of Potomac Electric Power Co. (NYSE: POM), announced today that it has been awarded more than $2.3 million in underground cable installation contracts from two East Coast utilities and a third utility in Arizona.

Arizona Public Service selected W. A. Chester to install two parallel 230kV high-voltage underground cables for its ASU/Tempe/Rio Salado Parkway conversion project in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The contract is the Pepco subsidiary` s first in the Southwest.

Two contracts from Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G) of New Jersey were awarded to W.A. Chester for upgrades to an existing 138kV transmission line under the Passaic River and for installation of underground cable for the utility`s Federal Square Substation project.

W. A. Chester also received two contracts from Florida Power and Light (FP&L) for its Sunset Island and Sanford projects. The Sunset Island project includes the installation of 13kV underground distribution cable and associated excavation, backfill and restoration work in a residential development. The Sanford project includes installation of two parallel 138kV underground cables at FP&L` s Sanford Generating Station.

"We are extremely pleased that APS, PSE&G, and FP&L selected W. A. Chester for these important projects," said Jack Wilson, president of the Washington-based company. "The APS award provides the opportunity to forge a new alliance in the Southwest while the PSE&G and FP&L awards serve as a reaffirmation of W. A. Chester`s capabilities and reputation for quality work."

W. A. Chester, the industry leader in the construction and installation of underground, high voltage transmission and distribution cable systems, is a wholly owned, non-regulated affiliate of Pepco.

In addition to construction, installation, maintenance and repair of underground transmission and distribution cable systems, Chester offers expert installation of overhead distribution systems, submarine cable systems, and telecommunications systems, and provides the full spectrum of services from turnkey projects to inspection, preventive maintenance and emergency response. With an expanding array of flexible, cost saving services, W. A. Chester is well positioned to serve utility and telecommunications companies throughout the United States into the new millennium.

Additional information about W. A. Chester may be found on the company`s Web site at www.potomaccapital.com /wachester.html or by calling 202-466-1940.