MAYS LANDING, N.J. - Around 11 p.m. last night, Atlantic City Electric restored power to about 99 percent of all customers who lost power as a result of  last Saturday's derecho (violent wind storm). This weekend, Atlantic City Electric expects to fully restore all outages that resulted from the derecho.

Work continues to restore customers in some parts of Atlantic County and other areas that were hardest hit by the storm. A number of those outages will remain into the weekend due to heavy localized storm damage that makes repairs very labor intensive. All customers impacted by the derecho are expected to be back in service by 11 p.m., Sunday, July 8. Atlantic City Electric urges customers to continue reporting outages and requesting call-backs.

Extreme heat continues to hit the southern New Jersey area, and the National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning effective today from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The National Weather Service reports that the temperature in the area could reach a high of around 100 degrees today. Such heat can stress the capability of the electric system and cause more power outages. To reduce the amount of stress on the system throughout this record heat, and to potentially prevent additional outages, Atlantic City Electric encourages customers to conserve electricity.

Tips for Conserving Energy
Atlantic City Electric recommends the below tips for conserving energy.  To learn more, visit www.atlanticcityelectric.com/energy/conservation/.

• During hot weather, a central air conditioner can account for 30 percent of a customer's energy bill. Atlantic City Electric suggests checking the air filter regularly - a clean air filter improves system efficiency, which should lead to energy savings.
• Set your thermostat at 78 degrees Fahrenheit, a reasonably comfortable and energy-efficient indoor temperature.
• Have a professional check your air conditioning system to ensure that it works properly and is not leaking coolant.
• Be sure all windows are shut and outside doors are closed when the air conditioning is on.
• It is important not to have lamps, televisions or other heat sources close to the air conditioner thermostat.  Heat from these sources may cause the air conditioner unit to run longer than it should.
• Check to ensure that no furniture or other obstacles are blocking ducts or fans. This will enable cooled air to circulate freely, making your home more comfortable.

Customers Asked to Report Power Outages
Customer reported outages are vital to Atlantic City Electric's restoration efforts.  Customers are asked to report outages at www.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, that customers request a call-back. Call-backs allow Atlantic City Electric to notify customers when work in their area is completed.  When area work has been completed, not every customer may have been restored if further damage exists on equipment directly serving a customer's home. Customers responding to call-backs help the utility to locate isolated outages that are specific to customers' homes and still need to be addressed.

Customers who have seasonal homes that are not open yet should verify service is not on prior to responding to call-backs with a "not in service" response.

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.