Pepco today took important steps in the efforts to provide safe and reliable energy service for its Maryland customers and communities, requesting Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) review of electric delivery rates to ensure they reflect the costs associated with the essential work to modernize the local energy grid and respond to the increasing frequency and damage associated with major storms. The request seeks to recover approximately $29.99 million for work the company continues to perform resulting in record service reliability and to enhance programs and tools that have resulted in improved satisfaction among customers. 

Pepco customers are benefiting from the major enhancements that are being made to the local energy grid. Over the past five years, Pepco has spent hundreds of millions of dollars in Maryland, modernizing the energy grid with new devices, stronger poles, and more modern equipment. As a result, customers experienced some of the lowest average numbers of electric outages in the company’s history in 2018, as well as some of the fastest restoration times ever. In addition, during the past five years, the number of electric outages has decreased by 46 percent and average outage length has been reduced by 59 percent.

“We work every day to provide a safe, reliable, and affordable product that our customers can count on,” said Donna Cooper, Pepco region president. “While we know that these increases may be challenging for our customers, lower electricity supply costs, operating efficiencies and energy efficiency programs have reduced our residential customers bills about 16 percent lower than they were in 2011. We will continue the important work to ensure our customers have access to tools and resources that make their energy service affordable and accessible.”

Based on today’s request, the typical Pepco Maryland residential customer using 863 kilowatt hours per month would see a monthly bill increase of 2.76 percent, or about $3.51.  

Just last year, Pepco spent more than $100 million to modernize and fortify the local energy grid in Maryland. This work included inspecting and upgrading equipment like switches, poles and other devices, installing stronger, tree-resistant aerial cable, and trimming trees, which cause about 40 percent of power outages for customers each year. 

Specifically, Pepco projects in 2018 included:

Pepco is committed to supporting the communities it serves. In addition to providing better, more reliable service, these infrastructure investments help drive economic development and job creation in the local economy. Pepco, and its parent company Exelon, directly employ approximately 700 people in 

Maryland, both in management and bargaining unit positions. Pepco will help create future jobs through the Prince George’s County Energy Academy - a partnership between Pepco, Prince George’s Community College and Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation - to ensure that residents have an opportunity to take advantage of careers in the electric utility industry. Last year, Pepco also launched its "YOUtility Challenge" storefront at JA Finance Park® in Montgomery County, expected to host approximately 12,000 students from 40 different middle schools each year, providing an innovative and interactive environment for students to engage with experts and educational tools to learn personal finance literacy skills and the economics of life for the 21st century. 

In 2018, the company contributed more than $1 million to local Maryland nonprofits, while its employees volunteered thousands of hours to assist hundreds of organizations throughout Maryland. In October 2018, Pepco delivered on a commitment to give back to the neighborhoods where we live and work, completing an innovative nature trail in North Potomac, Maryland - the first trail of its kind in the Pepco service area along a transmission corridor.

Pepco’s purchase of goods and services from diverse certified suppliers topped $143 million in 2018, spending millions of dollars through the Maryland supply chain.  

Pepco is committed to helping customers manage their energy bill by providing the tools and resources that can help save money and energy.  The company also helps customers secure important state and federal energy efficiency and grant programs. Eligible customers also can receive financial assistance through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a federally-funded program that helps low-income families meet the costs of their home energy needs. Pepco also awarded the Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF) in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties with over $1,000,000 in funds to aide with energy assistance. WAFF provides additional money to Pepco’s low- to moderate-income customers in Maryland who are having challenges paying their energy bills. 

Pepco offers payment options, like budget billing, to help customers manage their monthly electricity bills and lessen the impact of their seasonal usage changes. Budget billing provides customers with consistent monthly payments by dividing annual energy costs evenly throughout the year. Customers who wish to learn more or take advantage of these important programs can visit www.pepco.com/WaysToSave or call 202-833-7500.

To learn more, readers are encouraged to visit The Source, Pepco’s online news room. Find additional information about Pepco by visiting www.pepco.com. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pepcoconnect and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pepcoconnect. Our mobile app is available at www.pepco.com/mobileapp.

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About Pepco: Pepco, a public utility owned by Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), provides safe and reliable energy to more than 842,000 electric delivery customers in Maryland and the District of Columbia.