Company Activates Kilowatchers Program

For Immediate Release
August 8, 2001

Pepco and other PJM power pool utilities today are urging customers to continue to conserve electricity because of increasing demand for power due to lingering high heat and humidity in the region.

Pepco strongly urges its customers to conserve electricity, health permitting, from 3-7 p.m. today by taking the following actions:
Close curtains and blinds to keep out the sun and retain cooler air inside their homes and businesses;

• Postpone using major heat-producing appliances like electric stoves and clothes dryers until the cooler evening hours;
• Set air conditioning thermostats higher than usual, and;
• Turn off non-essential lights, appliances and equipment.

Pepco has also implemented its Kilowatchers programs for the second time this week to help reduce demand. Under that program some 162,000 residential customers volunteer to allow the company to cycle their air conditioners off and on periodically on weekday afternoons.

Electricity demand in the PJM region hit a record 53,464 megawatts yesterday, compared to the previous high of 52,200 megawatts, set on July 25, 2001.

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 pool serves 22 million customers in all or parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.