Infrastructure projects to build a smarter, stronger and cleaner energy grid, result in lowest frequency of customer outages ever in DC and continued strong performance in Maryland

WASHINGTON, DC (Feb. 7, 2022) — Pepco's efforts to reinforce the local energy grid, add new technology and smart devices and target projects to increase resiliency has resulted in customers experiencing fewer electric outages in 2022.

• Pepco customers in the District experienced the lowest frequency of electric outages ever in 2022, with a more than 25 percent decrease in the frequency of outages since the previous low set in 2020. Even when service was interrupted, crews were able to safely restore service in just 111 minutes, on average.
• Pepco customers in Maryland experienced the third best year in history for frequency of electric outages. The best ever frequency for outages in Maryland was established in 2021, with the best three years on record occurring in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Even when service was interrupted, crews were able to safely restore service in just 82 minutes, on average.

Over the past ten years, ongoing investments in the local energy grid have driven a 57 percent decrease in the frequency of electric outages Pepco customers have experienced based on industry benchmarks.

With more frequent and impactful weather events the result of climate change, customers interconnecting solar panels and electric vehicles with the grid increasing, and customers depending on a reliable energy grid more than ever before, Pepco must continue to invest in the grid to ensure customers continue to experience reliable energy service.

"Delivering reliable energy service is part of our broader effort to provide a world-class experience for our customers," said Tamla Olivier, chief operating officer of Pepco Holdings. "This achievement is fueled by a sustained investment in the local energy grid and is a representation of the commitment that every Pepco employee has to support our customers."

Each day, Pepco performs work across the District of Columbia and Maryland as part of the company's ongoing efforts to further improve reliability for customers. This work includes inspecting existing infrastructure, trimming trees that could impact the system, building new substations and new underground equipment, strengthening transmission and distribution lines and installing stronger, tree-resistant aerial cable. Pepco also installs innovative technologies to improve system reliability, such as specialized equipment, like smart switches and reclosers, that can automatically detect issues and restore service faster by automatically isolating damage. These technologies have been a major driver in the continued reduction in outages for customers.

Pepco continues to invest in projects and initiatives to reinforce the local energy grid while providing customers with the information they need to make informed choices on their energy use.

On the local energy grid, Pepco completed several key projects in recent years, helping modernize the grid and enhance reliability for customers. In 2022, Pepco performed work on several projects to further improve service reliability. These projects include:

• DC PLUG – The District of Columbia Power Line Undergrounding (DC PLUG) initiative is a multi-year program focused on the underground placement of the District's most vulnerable distribution power lines. The DC PLUG initiative targeted improved resiliency and reliability in the face of increasingly severe storms.
• Downtown Distribution Resupply Project – Pepco is installing a new distribution conduit system in the northwest quadrant of the downtown area of the District of Columbia. This work involves installing new distribution lines to connect the company's F Street and L Street substations, which will support and facilitate the rebuild of both substations and increase the energy capacity downtown.
• Underground Upgrades in Maryland – Pepco is replacing and upgrading existing underground powerlines in parts of Montgomery and Prince George's counties to help improve system reliability in Adelphi, Oxon Hill, Gaithersburg, and Montgomery Village.
• White Flint Substation – Pepco is constructing a new substation in the rapidly growing North Bethesda/White Flint area to enhance reliability, modernize our electrical infrastructure and help meet increasing energy needs in the community. Construction began in 2020 and is expected to be completed in 2025.

For more information on additional reliability enhancement projects across D.C. and Maryland, visit pepco.com/ReliabilityProjects.

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