Delmarva Power enhancements help ensure reliable energy service
To keep homes and businesses warm and well-lit throughout the upcoming winter season, Delmarva Power has taken important steps to prepare the local energy grid to help ensure reliable energy service. This proactive work includes critical infrastructure upgrades designed to strengthen the local energy grid, reduce the risk of power outages and enhance resilience against severe winter weather.
Delmarva Power continues to invest in targeted system improvements, grid expansion, equipment inspections and maintenance. These ongoing efforts 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 expanding capacity to support cleaner energy options for customers.
"Our customers depend on us to provide safe and reliable energy service, especially during winter storms and colder temperatures. We don’t wait for the first cold snap; our crews have been working hard all year to make the grid smarter, stronger and more resilient,” said Rodney Oddoye, chief operating officer for Pepco Holdings, which includes Delmarva Power. “We are also focused on continuing to provide resources to help our customers use energy more efficiently and connecting them with financial assistance programs to help manage energy costs.”
Delmarva Power is making it easier for customers who may need support or those who want to get ahead of cold winter temperatures to connect to a wide range of assistance programs. The company’s Assistance Finder tool can help customers discover the programs that best fit their needs, including financial assistance, bill management, and energy efficiency and savings information. A full list of programs is available at delmarva.com/EnergyAssistance.
The company also provides tips and information to help customers understand their bills and take control of their energy usage for better planning, consistency and budgeting. For more information, customers can visit delmarva.com/BillSupport.
Just as Delmarva Power prepares, the company encourages customers to be ready for severe weather and offers the following tips:
- Assemble an emergency storm kit. Include a battery-powered radio, flashlight, first-aid kit, blankets, battery-powered or windup clock, extra batteries, medications, multipurpose tool and list of important/emergency phone numbers
- Have a supply of bottled water and easy-to-prepare, nonperishable foods available to last at least 72 hours
- Keep a flashlight with fresh batteries on each floor of the home
- Identify an alternate location where individuals and family members can gather in case of an extended outage
- Review the manufacturer’s instructions for safe operation of a home generator. Do not connect a generator directly to a home’s wiring. Never use a generator indoors or in any enclosed area
- Those who rely on electricity to power life-support equipment in the home may enroll in the Emergency Medical Equipment Notification Program at delmarva.com/EMENP. This program provides advance notice of scheduled outages and severe weather alerts to qualified participants.
Before winter weather grips the region, go to delmarva.com/alerts and sign up to receive updates on energy usage and information regarding power outages.
For more tips and storm preparedness information, go to delmarva.com/StormPrep.
