​WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 2, 2021) – Throughout the year, as many families worked and learned from home, Pepco continued to perform essential work to prepare the local energy grid to meet increased demand during the warmer months and keep homes and businesses powered all summer long. Pepco employees are routinely completing maintenance and inspections, as well as upgrades and critical repairs, to prepare for severe weather, including an active hurricane season. This work is essential to providing safe and reliable service for the company's 894,000 customers in the District of Columbia and Maryland.  

"Our dedicated employees have been performing critical work throughout this pandemic to help us deliver safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy service to our valued customers," said Donna Cooper, Pepco region president. "As communities across the District and Maryland begin to lift their COVID-19 restrictions, we remain committed to delivering dependable and reliable service all summer long and beyond. We encourage our customers to utilize the many tools and resources we offer to prepare for summer storms and hurricanes, as well as tips and information to save money and energy during the warmer months."   

Pepco's work to prepare for the summer is part of the company's ongoing efforts to modernize the local energy grid and enhance reliability for customers. Customers across the District of Columbia and Maryland are continuing to experience improvements in the reliability of their energy service. Just last year, Pepco customers experienced the lowest frequency of electric outages ever – a 17 percent decrease since the previous low set in 2019. Customers experienced less than one outage, on average, over the course of the year, and when service was interrupted, crews were able to safely restore service in an average of just 87 minutes.

The work Pepco is continuing to perform is essential to fortify the local energy grid against severe weather and to help prevent those outages that can be prevented. In addition to these efforts, Pepco completes hundreds of tasks to prepare for the summer season, including system work, testing and drills. As part of the Exelon family of companies, Pepco also can call on resources from sister companies in Baltimore, Delaware, Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to assist the company when needed to restore power even faster after major storms.  

Just as Pepco prepares for summer weather and severe storms, we encourage our customers to be ready as well. Here are some tips:

• Assemble an emergency storm kit. Include a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, a battery-powered or windup clock, extra batteries, medications, a multi-purpose tool, cell phones with chargers, and a list of important/emergency phone numbers.
• Have a supply of bottled water and easy-to-prepare, non-perishable foods available.
• Keep a flashlight with fresh batteries on each floor of your home.
• Identify an alternate location for you and/or your family in case of an extended outage.
• Review the manufacturer's instructions for safe operations of your generator. Do not connect a generator directly to your home's wiring. Never use a generator in any enclosed area.
• Download Pepco's mobile app at pepco.com/mobileapp. 
  

Being prepared is a responsibility everyone should take seriously. If a severe storm hits, monitor local weather reports regularly and follow the advice of local emergency management officials. Immediately report a downed wire or service issue by calling 1-877-PEPCO-62 (877-737-2662) , visiting pepco.com, or through the company's enhanced mobile app. Customers can also report an outage by texting "Out" to 48710. Customers must first text "ADD OUTAGE" to 48710 to sign up for this service. If an outage does occur, the company's interactive online outage map and its mobile app provide estimates of how quickly power is expected to be restored. More tips, resources and safety information are available at pepco.com/storm. 

As temperatures climb, energy use typically climbs too. Pepco provides helpful tips and information to help customers save money and energy all summer. More tips and information available at pepco.com/saveenergy.

• Manage your bill on My Account. Online energy management tools show you how much energy you are using. The bill to date feature lets you know what your bill costs are to date at any time during the month. You can also get tips based on your energy saving goals.
• Install energy efficient light bulbs. Energy-efficient LED bulbs use up to 75 percent less energy than standard bulbs.

• Unplug unused electrical devices when you leave a room. Chargers use energy when left plugged in after your device is fully charged.
• Check your thermostat. Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter, and higher in the summer, if health permits.
• Adjust your blinds. Raise your blinds in the winter to let warm sunlight into your home, and lower the blinds in the summer to keep cool air inside.
  

Pepco customers in the District of Columbia can take the pledge reduce their energy use through ReduceEnergyUseDC and will be entered into one of more than 25 random drawings for a chance to win a $300 credit on their Pepco energy bill. Customers can sign up now and take the pledge by visiting ReduceEnergyUseDC.com, texting "SaveMore" to 52886 or calling 202-872-2020 or 855-673-3823.

To learn more about Pepco, visit The Source, our online newsroom. Find additional information by visiting pepco.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/pepcoconnect and on Twitter at twitter.com/pepcoconnect. Pepco's mobile app is available at pepco.com/mobileapp.