For Immediate Release
March 31, 2000

Pepco and Washington Gas have issued their reports which analyzed events that led to manhole fires and explosions in Georgetown on Feb. 18. Nevertheless, exactly what happened may never be known with absolute certainty, but all possible explanations have been considered and evaluated.

For more than a century, Pepco and Washington Gas have operated and maintained large underground systems, and both have experienced crews dedicated to customer and employee safety.

While Pepco stands by its report, the chairmen and chief executive officers of each company--John M. Derrick, Jr., of Pepco and James H. DeGraffenreidt, Jr, of Washington Gas--have agreed that the important lesson is to work together when service and safety are at issue. They have charged their staffs to pursue this end.