Utilities across the region are reporting record consumer demand for electricity. D.C. is no exception.   PEPCO spokesman, Bob Dobkin, reported in the August 2, 2006, edition of the Washington Post, that PEPCO’s record demand of 6,725 megawatts set last summer, was broken on Tuesday, when demand reached 6,944 megawatts. PJM, the entity that controls the transmission lines for all the utilities in the Mid-Atlantic region (including Pepco), stated that peak electricity demand is at record levels due to a sudden surge in temperatures.  PJM predicts that it will supply approximately 144,000 megawatts of power an hour, which would surpass the previous record of 139,747 megawatts

PJM insist that generation supplies are adequate, and the media reports all local utilities say that they are not having difficulty “meeting demand.”  However, the PJM reiterates its position that there is an urgent need to expand the region's transmission system.  The District is dependent on transmission lines in several states for the reception of its electricity. Excessively high demand for electricity can clog the region's transmission system, making it difficult for an adequate amount of electricity to travel into the District. PJM has used its authority to order Pepco as well as all other utilities throughout the region to build 1.3 billion dollars of transmission lines.  The net effect, of course, is an increase in costs for consumers. 

Upgrades in transmission facilities are long-term solutions. Presently, energy conservation, while not the optimal solution, is the only weapon available to ameliorate this situation.

The following conservation tips will help reduce costs:

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.