WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pepco is closely monitoring the path of a large intense storm system that will impact the entire service territory throughout the day.
The National Weather Service has said that the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area could experience an extended period of severe weather through the afternoon rush hour. The main threats include widespread damaging winds in excess of 50 miles per hour in strong thunderstorms, heavy rains and the potential for flooding in certain areas. Isolated tornadoes are possible.
High winds can bring tree limbs into contact with power lines and causing power outages. The winds can also affect trees in saturated soil and trees weakened by previous storms and cause them to fall onto power lines and equipment to cause power outages.
In anticipation of severe thunderstorms, Pepco has scheduled extra distribution line crews and additional tree trimming crews tonight and Wednesday. If needed, Pepco will also be able to redeploy contract crews scheduled for reliability work to storm restoration work, and Call Center personnel will work overnight as needed.
Pepco has also reached out to state and local emergency management agencies and shared its weather forecast and plans. Pepco will continue to monitor the weather and customer outage activity and adjust its resource plans accordingly through the weekend.
PLEASE CALL TO REPORT OUTAGES AND ASK FOR CALL BACK
Customers are urged to report outages and downed wires by calling,
1-877-PEPCO-62 (1-877-737-2662) and follow the prompts.
Customers may also report outages by visiting pepco.com.
Customers’ reports are extremely vital to Pepco’s restoration efforts. Combined with other customer calls and Pepco’s technology, it helps the company identify the precise location of outages more quickly.
Pepco also recommends that when reporting an outage, customers request a call back to confirm their power has been restored.
Pepco urges its customers to prepare for potential power outages and act to ensure their safety. Here are some tips:
• Have adequate prescription medicines and/or infant supplies on hand.
• If a customer or someone the customer knows uses life-support equipment that requires electricity to operate, identify a location with emergency power capabilities and make plans to go there during a prolonged outage.
• Assemble an emergency “storm kit.” Include a battery-powered radio or television, flashlight, a first-aid kit, battery-powered or windup clock, extra batteries, special needs items, an insulated cooler, and a list of important and emergency phone numbers.
• Keep at least a three-day supply of non-perishable foods and bottled water and have a hand-operated can opener available.
• Have a telephone with a cord or cell phone to use as a backup. Cordless telephones require electricity to operate, and will not work if there is an outage.
• Protect electronic equipment. Unplug sensitive electronics or plug computers and other sensitive equipment into surge suppressors, and consider a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for temporary battery backup power.
• Turn off power to flood-prone basement appliances, if it is safe to do so. However, if the customer has an electrically operated sump pump, the customer should not turn off the power.
Safety Tips
• Stay away from downed wires.
• Tune to local news broadcasts for the latest weather and emergency information.
• Follow the advice of local emergency management officials.
• Take cover if necessary.
For more information and updates, visit www.pepco.com, follow us on Facebook and Twitter at PepcoConnect and download our mobile app at www.pepco.com/mobileapp.
Tag Archives: Pepco
Pepco Benning Road Facility Plans and Deliverables: Public Comment Period Ends- Sept. 17, 2012
We all know that the Anacostia River is polluted. District residents and our neighbors in the Chesapeake Watershed have waited years for something to be done. Finally, the District of Columbia and the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) are taking action to clean up some of the river’s worst toxic sites. Pepco’s Benning Road power plant is among dirtiest on the river.
Background
The Benning Road plant is a 77-acre facility boarded on the east by the Kenilworth neighborhood, commercial areas to the south, and on the west by the Anacostia River (include picture). It was constructed in 1906, and has operated several different electricity-generating units over the years. Currently, two steam turbine units generate power and occupy only 20% of the site. The rest houses PEPCO’s Benning Service Center and major electric transmission and distribution facilities. The plant, which only operates ten to fifteen days per year during periods of peak energy demand, will be officially closing in 2012. However, Benning Road will remain a major threat to public health until 100 years of pollutants and toxins are thoroughly mitigated.
Between 1985 and 2003 there were six (6) documented releases of polychlorinated biphenyls (“PCBs”) (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “1985-2003 PCB releases”) into the environment at Pepco’s facility, located at 3400 Benning Road, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20019 (the “Facility”). Although Pepco conducted remedial actions in response to each of these releases in accordance with applicable legal requirements, because of the Facility’s proximate location to the Anacostia River, the PCBs released at the Facility may have migrated from the property into the sediment of the adjacent Anacostia River via the storm water system, overland flow or groundwater discharge.
Once PCB’s are released into the environment they do not readily break down and therefore may remain for long periods of time cycling between air, water, and soil. PCBs can also be taken up into the bodies of small organisms and fish. As a result, people who ingest fish may be exposed to PCBs that have bioaccumulated in the fish they are ingesting. PCBs have been demonstrated to cause a variety of adverse health effects, including cancer.
Sampling and Analysis Plan
- Draft Sampling and Analysis Plan [PDF] A draft of the Sampling and Analysis Plan (“SAP”) is currently under review by DDOE. The SAP details the specifics of the sampling events that will occur as part of the environmental investigation at the Pepco Benning Road facility. The public comment period is open from August 9, 2012 until September 17, 2012. Below, is the link to the Draft SAP. All comments must be submitted in writing via mail to the District Department of the Environment, Environmental Services Administration, 1200 First Street, N.E., 5th Floor, Washington D.C., 20002, Attention: Apurva Patil, or by email to apurva.patil@dc.gov.
Work Plan
- Draft Work Plan Documents [PDF]
- A draft work plan (“WP”) is currently under review by DDOE. The WP details the work to be performed as part of the Scope of Work, includes the landside and sediment based investigations of the Benning Road Facility. The public comment period is open from August 9, 2012 until September 17, 2012. All comments must be submitted in writing via mail to the District Department of the Environment, Environmental Services Administration, 1200 First Street, N.E., 5th Floor, Washington D.C., 20002, Attention: Apurva Patil, or by email to apurva.patil@dc.gov.
Health and Safety Plan
Draft Health and Safety Plan [PDF]
- A draft health and safety plan (“HASP”) is currently under review by DDOE. The HASP details the safety measures and protocols set up to protect the workers from any contamination, while ensuring that the public is protected from contamination while the investigation is underway. The public comment period is open from August 9, 2012 until September 17, 2012. All comments must be submitted in writing via mail to the District Department of the Environment, Environmental Services Administration, 1200 First Street, N.E., 5th Floor, Washington D.C., 20002, Attention: Apurva Patil, or by email to apurva.patil@dc.gov.
Please send your comments and concerns on or before September 17, 2012. If any one have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Best,
Lisa White, ANC Commissioner SMD 7D01 Kingman Park
Heat Advisory Issued for Noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Pepco Urges Customers to Conserve Energy
Heat Advisory Issued for Noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday
Heat Advisory Issued for Noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pepco is urging customers to take extra precautions when outdoors and to conserve energy wherever possible as high temperatures are forecasted for the Washington Metro Area. The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the Washington Metro Area for noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Heat index values are expected to be between 100 and 105 degrees with temperatures around 100 degrees.
While power supply in the region is expected to be sufficient to meet anticipated high demand, extreme heat also can stress electric system equipment. In preparation for the hot weather, Pepco is staffing to quickly address any equipment issues that may arise from heat or potential storms resulting from the heat.
Pepco also offers the following energy-saving tips:
· Set air-conditioning thermostats at 78 degrees and use an electric fan, which doesn’t require as much energy, and the air will seem cooler without sacrificing comfort.
· Keep window shades, blinds, or drapes closed to block the sunlight during the hottest part of the day and to retain cooler air inside your home or business.
· Limit the use of electrically heated water and turn off non-essential appliances and as many lights as possible.
· Limit opening refrigerator or freezer doors.
· Postpone using high-energy appliances like electric stoves, washing machines, dishwashers and dryers until the evening.
For more information and updates, visit www.pepco.com, follow us on Facebook and Twitter at PepcoConnect and download our mobile app at www.pepco.com/mobileapp.
TELL DDOE: Extend the Communities RIGHT to COMMENT!
Kingman Park Community Members,
Please sign this petition to extend the comment period about the Pepco Power Plant on Benning Road. Our voices need to be heard!
Lisa White, ANC Commissioner SMD 7D01 Kingman Park
On February 3, 2012, the District of Columbia published for public notice and comment a Community Involvement Plan (CIP) for the remediation of the Potomac Electric Power Company facility at 3400 Benning Rd., N.E., Washington D.C., 20019.
Sign the petition here:
https://www.change.org/petitions/tell-ddoe-extend-the-communities-right-to-comment
On February 10th The DDOE began accepting public comments on the community involvement plan for 30 days.
DDOE representative Jared Piaggione set a deadline of March 7th for accepting public comments.
WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM:
1.The DDOE did very little to promote the public commenting period to the community surrounding the PEPCO benning road plant. The announcement was placed in the DC register a little used and highly complex online resource of the Government of the District of Columbia.
2. The plan was supposed to be available via the DDOE website but is difficult to find and not promoted on the front page or on any notices to community residents.
3.That is technically not 30 days for public comment.
The PEPCO Benning Road Power Plant is historically known for being an environmental injustice to the community leading to increased rates of asthma, cancer and respiratory illness. For decades the blight of the Power Plant has led to decreased property value and contributed to the collection of toxic facilities surrounding the Anacostia Riverfront. The closing of the PEPCO Benning Road Power Plant and Facility is a major step in reducing air pollution for the community. However many fear that it will lead to further gentrification and displacement of local residents.
Community Residents have the right to know what’s going on and to comment on the future of their own community!
Tell DDOE to extend the Public Comment Period on the Community Involvement Plan for the Benning Road Facility in Washington, DC for 30-60 more days so community residents can be truly informed and engaged.
Please Sign the Petition and Tell DDOE: “GIVE THE COMMUNITY TIME and SUPPORT TO COMMENT!”
With your help we can make sure the voices of the community are truly acknowledged and respected.
Supporting Documents and Resources:
Community Involvement Plan:
http://ddoe.dc.gov/publication/draft-community-involvement-plan
Consent Decree Announcement:
http://ddoe.dc.gov/publication/draft-community-involvement-plan
Community Involvement in PEPCO Benning Road Clean-up
With your help we can make sure the voices of the community are truly acknowledged and respected.
Supporting Documents and Resources:
Community Involvement Plan:
http://ddoe.dc.gov/publication/draft-community-involvement-plan
Consent Decree Announcement:
http://ddoe.dc.gov/publication/draft-community-involvement-plan
More on the Environmental Justice Climate Change Initiative:
Pepco Prepared for High Winds and Possible Outages
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pepco is monitoring forecasts that call for high winds to sweep into the region this afternoon. The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for the Washington Metro Area that predicts wind gusts of more than 40 miles per hour this evening and up to 50 miles per hour later tonight. High winds can bring tree limbs into contact with power lines causing power outages. The winds can also adversely affect trees in saturated soil and trees weakened by previous storms causing them to fall onto power lines and equipment producing power outages. In anticipation of the high winds, Pepco has scheduled additional line personnel, tree trimming crews, and Call Center personnel. Pepco will continue to monitor the weather and customer outage activity and adjust its resource plans accordingly through Saturday. For the safety of the overhead line personnel, if sustained winds reach 40 miles per hour all aerial work – work that requires raising a bucket/arm boom will cease.
PLEASE CALL TO REPORT OUTAGES AND ASK FOR CALL BACK Customers are urged to report outages and downed wires by calling, 1-877-PEPCO-62 (1-877-737-2662) and follow the prompts. Customers may also report outages by visiting pepco.com. Customers’ reports are extremely vital to Pepco’s restoration efforts. Combined with other customer calls and Pepco’s technology, it helps the company identify the precise location of outages more quickly. Pepco also recommends that when reporting an outage, customers request a call back to confirm their power has been restored.
Pepco urges its customers to prepare for potential power outages and act to ensure their safety. Here are some tips: • Have adequate prescription medicines and/or infant supplies on hand. • If a customer or someone the customer knows uses life-support equipment that requires electricity to operate, identify a location with emergency power capabilities and make plans to go there during a prolonged outage. • Assemble an emergency “storm kit.” Include a battery-powered radio or television, flashlight, a first-aid kit, battery-powered or windup clock, extra batteries, special needs items, an insulated cooler, and a list of important and emergency phone numbers. • Keep at least a three-day supply of non-perishable foods and bottled water and have a hand-operated can opener available. • Have a telephone with a cord or cell phone to use as a backup. Cordless telephones require electricity to operate, and will not work if there is an outage. • Protect electronic equipment. Unplug sensitive electronics or plug computers and other sensitive equipment into surge suppressors, and consider a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for temporary battery backup power. • Turn off power to flood-prone basement appliances, if it is safe to do so. However, if the customer has an electrically operated sump pump, the customer should not turn off the power. Safety Tips • Stay away from downed wires. • Tune to local news broadcasts for the latest weather and emergency information. • Follow the advice of local emergency management officials. • Take cover if necessary. For more information and updates, visit www.pepco.com and follow Pepco at www.twitter.com/PepcoConnect.
