Programs Reduce Electricity Demand for Residents

For Immediate Release
August 7, 2001

At 2 p.m. today, Pepco activated its Kilowatchers programs to reduce demand for electricity this afternoon due to the area's current high heat and humidity.

More than 162,000 residential customers volunteer to allow Pepco to cycle their air conditioners off-and-on periodically on weekday afternoons. Pepco limits the number of times the program can be activated to 15 afternoons during the summer months of May through September and never on weekends or holidays. Program members receive an additional bill credit for each day that cycling occurs.

These programs are part of Pepco's energy use management effort. They are designed to reduce customer demand and avoid the need for mandatory conservation actions by all customers. Pepco has sufficient electricity generating capability to meet the area's energy demands today, barring any unforeseen mechanical equipment problems.