Extreme Heat, Humidity Prompts Mid-Atlantic Utilities to Again Urge Conservation

For Immediate Release
August 4, 2005

Extreme Heat, Humidity Prompts Mid-Atlantic Utilities
to Again Urge Conservation

Pepco and the other utilities in the mid-Atlantic region today requested that the public conserve electricity because of very high demand for power due to the intense heat and humidity. Last week, Pepco`s customers set new all-time records for power as heat indices rose above 100 degrees.

While adequate supplies of power are available, the PJM Interconnection, the electricity grid operator for the region, is taking precautions to ensure the reliability of the transmission system during this time of heavy usage of the grid. Electric customers in the region are asked to conserve power, if health permits, especially between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

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, dishwashers and clothes dryers until the evening hours; if possible, delay using them until the extreme heat subsides.
Set your air-conditioner thermostat higher than usual if health permits.
Turn off non-essential lights, appliances and equipment. This is especially important for business customers of all types.

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

Despite adequate supplies of power to meet heightened demand, 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.

Further measures by PJM could be avoided if both residential and commercial customers make significant reductions in their electricity use during this period of extreme heat and humidity.

###

About Pepco: Pepco, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: POM), delivers electricity at regulated rates to 725,000 customers in Washington and major portions of Montgomery and Prince Georgeâ€™s counties in suburban Maryland.

Point of Contact:
Robert Dobkin