Work Focused on Clearing and Restoring Transmission Lines

MAYS LANDING, N.J. - Atlantic City Electric has restored power to about half of the more than 206,000 customers who lost power as a result of Saturday's storm. In addition to restoring these customers, Atlantic City Electric has successfully restored power to many critical transmission lines and feeders.

This storm was one of the most catastrophic weather events that the Mid-Atlantic region has experienced since Hurricane Isabel in 2003.  As a comparison, at the peak of Saturday's storm, there were 206,000 customers out of power; this storm caused about 60,000 more outages than Hurricane Irene last August.  Because each storm and its impact on the electric system are unique, the restoration effort and progress differs as well.

Atlantic City Electric line crews have been working around the clock during the initial restoration efforts supported by contract line crews.  Atlantic City Electric has deployed 740 field resources to work on restoration efforts. This group includes about 466 line contractors from New York and northern New Jersey, 38 contract assessment crews, and 236 tree-trimming personnel. Atlantic City Electric expects to receive an additional 72 line contractors from mutual assistance today.

Much of the restoration work thus far has been performed on the backbone foundation of Atlantic City Electric's electric system. This includes restoring substations, subtransmission and substation supply feeders. Customers will see more crews in their neighborhoods as restoration work increases on local streets and in residential areas. The global estimated time of restoration (ETR) is 11:59 p.m., Friday, July 6.  Atlantic City Electric expects the vast majority of all customers to be restored sometime on Wednesday, July 4. As restoration work is planned and as crews make repairs, Atlantic City Electric will issue more specific times of restoration. 

"We understand the inconvenience an extended outage creates for families and businesses," said Vince Maione, Atlantic City Region President.  "The devastation to our system is extensive.  Crews are working non-stop, including the July 4th holiday, until every customer is restored."
     
Customers Asked to Report Power Outages
Customers' reports are vital to Atlantic City Electric's restoration efforts.  Customers are asked to report outages at atlanticcityelectric.com or by calling 1-800-833-7476 and following the prompts on the automated system. If reporting an emergency or another life-threatening situation such as downed wires, customers should immediately call 1-800-833-7476 and follow the appropriate prompts. 

Atlantic City Electric also recommends, when reporting an outage, customers request a call-back. Call-backs allow Atlantic City Electric to notify customers when work in their area is completed. However, although area work has been completed, not every customer may have been restored, if further damage is found on equipment directly serving a customer's home.  The call-backs help the utility to locate outages that are specific to customers' homes and still need to be addressed.

To keep up to date, customers are encouraged to visit www.atlanticcityelectric.com, follow us on Facebook and Twitter at ACElecConnect and download our mobile app at www.atlanticcityelectric.com/mobileapp.

# # #

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 540,000 customers in southern New Jersey.