As Maryland braces for an extended period of extreme heat, Governor Wes Moore has declared a State of Preparedness ahead of potentially dangerous conditions expected from July 1 through July 5. The announcement comes as Pepco says it is preparing for increased energy demand and the possibility of weather-related outages during the holiday week.
Pepco crews are bracing for a summer of intense heat and frequent storms that can topple trees, snap power lines and stretch restoration teams as customers cope with higher energy costs.
“Extreme heat and extreme cold, I feel like it’s a calling for me,” said Edwin Velásquez, a lead lineman at Pepco’s Rockville Service Center, describing a demonstration that showed a routine restoration after a branch broke a crossarm and brought wires down. Crews first make the scene safe, he said: isolate sections of the feeder, ground the lines and hold a safety tailgate to confirm personal protective equipment and roles.
Safety First
Safety guidance from Pepco starts with treating all downed lines as energized and crews stay at least 30 feet away, said Rob Spellman, senior manager of overhead maintenance and construction. Customers should report downed wires immediately by calling Pepco or using the company app. “We make sure that all customers treat every line that’s down on the ground as energized until Pepco can safely get there,” Spellman said.
The utility company is investing in “resilience through tree trimming, pole replacement, upgraded transformers and both overhead and underground cable work,” Pepco’s chief operating officer Rodney Oddoye said during the company’s summer readiness demonstration. The company also uses advanced metering and outage-management systems to detect interruptions and dispatch crews efficiently.
But infrastructure improvements do not eliminate outages during severe weather. “When we have those big rough storms, it’s a lot of downed wires,” Velásquez said, noting that distribution, transmission and secondary lines can all be affected.
Restorations can take hours: a troubled crew’s arrival and assessment may be followed by an hour to three hours of work to ground, hoist and splice lines safely.
Summer Perils
Heat adds another layer of risk. Crews often labor 12 to 16-hour shifts in triple-digit conditions. “We’re working long hours, sometimes in 100-plus degree weather … to restore this power,” Spellman said, asking for patience as technicians and contractors work around the clock.
The summer also brings pressure on customers’ bills. “Rising supply costs driven by demand and limited new generation have pushed prices higher”, said Chuck McDade Pepco’s communications manager.
McDade advises customers to reduce usage and prepare for outages: “raise thermostats a few degrees, use smart thermostats and run heat-generating appliances at night, close blinds, and seal air leaks.” Customers struggling with bills can contact Pepco’s call centers for assistance and explore programs such as Empower Maryland.
Restoration Priorities
During storms, Pepco prioritizes essential services, pumping stations, hospitals and large outages then shifts to long-duration and smaller outages. The company stages crews at regional centers and runs drills ahead of predicted weather events to ensure rapid response.
Velasquez recounted a dramatic rescue in peak summer: a vehicle stranded in water with power still feeding the scene. He traced the feed, opened the household cutout and removed the wire, letting first responders extract the occupant. “When they knew they were safe, it was like a sigh of relief,” he said.
As summer heats up, Pepco said its focus remains simple: safety first, rapid restoration and clear communication to customers navigating heat waves and storms.
