Mays Landing, NJ- Atlantic City Electric and the other utilities in the mid-Atlantic region today requested that the public conserve electricity because of very high demand for power due to the intense heat and humidity. 

While adequate supplies of power are available, PJM Interconnection, the electricity grid operator for the region, is taking precautions to ensure the reliability of the transmission system during this time of heavy usage of the grid. Electric customers in the region are asked to conserve power, if health permits, especially between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Atlantic City Electric offers the following conservation tips:

• Close curtains and blinds to keep out the sun and retain cooler air inside your home, apartment or business.
• Postpone using major heat-producing appliances like electric stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers until the evening hours; if possible, delay using them until the extreme heat subsides.
• Set your air-conditioner thermostat higher than usual if health permits.
• Turn off non-essential lights, appliances and equipment. This is especially important for business customers of all types.

Atlantic City Electric will continue to monitor conditions.  PJM is communicating about the situation with regional government officials. The PJM-East pool serves customers in all or parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Further measures by PJM could be avoided if both residential and commercial customers observe conservation measures in their electricity use during this period of extreme heat and humidity.

With the temperatures predicted this week, there is the potential for record-setting electric usage by Atlantic City Electric depending upon customer demand.  The peak demand for Atlantic City Electric was set July 27, 2005 when usage hit 2,838* megawatts.

(Please note: Corrected peak demand for July 27, 2005)

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Atlantic City Electric, a public utility owned by Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: POM), provides safe, reliable and affordable regulated electric delivery services to more than 500,000 customers in southern New Jersey.