Pepco is preparing for the upcoming winter season by conducting essential infrastructure upgrades and maintenance to help ensure reliable energy service.
The proactive work includes fortifying the local energy grid and integrating innovative smart technology to meet rising customer demand and keep homes and businesses warm and well-lit throughout the season. Over the next five years, Pepco is investing more than $4 billion in infrastructure improvements, grid expansion, equipment inspections, and maintenance.
These efforts will improve grid reliability and prepare the grid for more severe weather and higher customer demand. Work includes upgrading equipment, trimming trees, installing smart technologies that can automatically isolate damage and restore power, and expand capacity to support cleaner energy options for our customers.
“Our priority is helping ensure our customers have access to reliable energy to keep their homes and businesses safe and comfortable this winter season and the tools they need to save energy and money,” said Tamla Olivier, chief operating officer for Pepco Holdings. “We’re not only enhancing our grid but also offering bill support and energy savings options to help customers manage costs and keep the lights on. Their experience and well-being are at the heart of everything we do.”
Pepco has programs that can help customers with financial assistance, bill management, and energy efficiency and savings. The programs can be accessed through the new Assistance Finder tool.
Just as Pepco prepares, the company encourages customers to also be ready for severe weather and offers the following tips:
- Assemble an emergency storm kit. Include battery-powered radio, flashlight, a first-aid kit, blankets, battery-powered or windup clock, extra batteries, medications, multi-purpose tool and list of important/emergency phone numbers.
- Have a supply of bottled water and easy-to-prepare, non-perishable foods available to last at least 72 hours.
- 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 indoors or any enclosed area.
- Enroll in the Emergency Medical Equipment Notification Program at pepco.com/EMENP if you rely on electricity to power life-support equipment in your home. This program provides advance notice of scheduled outages and severe weather alerts to qualified participants.
- Identify an alternate location for you and/or your family in case of an extended outage.
Customers can visit pepco.com/alerts before winter weather sets in and receive updates on their energy usage and information regarding power outages via text, email or phone, including when the power is out, when service is expected to be restored or when power is restored.
To learn more about Pepco, go to The Source, Pepco’s online newsroom.