With summer on the way, Delmarva Power wants you to know that we are ready. We have taken steps to prepare the local energy grid to meet increased customer demand and help ensure continued affordable and reliable energy service for our customers. Our crews have performed maintenance and inspections to prepare the grid for severe weather and help keep homes cool and bright and businesses operational all summer long.
As part of our preparedness for the summer, we conduct emergency response drills and complete testing of computer and emergency systems as part of our summer preparedness program. Employees from across the company review emergency processes and procedures to help ensure a safe and efficient response to storms or emergencies. As part of the Exelon family of companies, we share best practices with our sister companies (Atlantic City Electric, BGE, ComEd, PECO and Pepco) and participate in emergency response training exercises to ensure we can provide seamless support and resources during a storm or emergency restoration effort. This practice of collaborating and sharing resources demonstrates the benefits of being part of the Exelon family of companies.
Every day, we are committed to providing safe, reliable and clean energy service, while helping to maintain affordability for our customers and communities. Our customers depend on reliable energy service to power their lives. We are investing every day in our systems to meet the growing energy needs of our customers and to provide a world-class customer experience. Because of this commitment customers experienced the most reliable service ever in 2022. And, over the last 10 years, investments in the local energy grid have resulted in a 47 percent reduction in the frequency of power outages for our customers. Over the past year, Delmarva Power performed work on several projects to further improve service reliability.
These projects include:
Carrcroft to Silverside Reliability Project - Part of our broader strategic effort to strengthen and modernize the energy grid across our service area. The project includes rebuilding more than 1.4 miles of existing transmission line with new state-of-the-art steel poles and modern equipment. These more reliable structures are designed to withstand severe weather conditions and will enhance service reliability to more than 6,000 customers in New Castle County.
Chestertown Substation Reliability Project - Involves the modernization of an existing substation to meet the region's current and future energy needs. The project will improve the quality of energy service for local customers by reducing the number of outages in the area and allowing the company to restore service faster.
Vienna to West Cambridge Reliability Project - A major modernization project that includes rebuilding 11 miles of existing transmission line to strengthen the local energy grid and enhance service reliability for more than 13,600 local customers in Dorchester County.
Delmarva Power takes the responsibility of providing our customers with safe, reliable and affordable energy service very seriously. This includes being prepared for whatever Mother Nature might bring us at any time of the year. We encourage others, including our customers, to be prepared as well. Please help us bring this important information into your community by sharing these steps that can be taken to prepare for summer storms.
- Assemble an emergency storm kit.
- Prepare a plan for what to do during a power outage or summer storm.
- Confirm Delmarva Power has your current phone number in the "My Alerts and Notifications" section of the website: delmarva.com/MyAccount
- Visit delmarva.com/MobileApp to download the mobile app, which has many resources to keep you informed during a storm.
More tips, resources and safety information are available at delmarva.com/StormPrep.
We monitor local weather reports regularly and if severe storms are forecasted to hit, we follow the advice of local emergency management officials. We follow a strategic response plan to restore service, addressing live wires or potentially life-threatening situations first, followed by high-voltage transmission lines and equipment, which restore service to the largest number of affected customers. We also prioritize public health and safety facilities, like hospitals, police and fire stations and water treatment plants and work to restore service in your community safely and as quickly as possible. To learn more about our restoration process, visit delmarva.com/Restoration.
Customers are asked to immediately report a downed wire or service issue by calling 1-800-898-8042, visiting delmarva.com or through our mobile app. Delmarva Power customers can also text "Out" to "67972". Customers must first text "ADD OUTAGE" to "67972" to sign up for this service.
We also recognize our responsibility to serve customers by working to keep bills as low as possible and to continue to help our customers through these difficult times. We understand many of our customers are facing economic challenges and are also dealing with the impact of inflation and rising prices for the products and services they are using each day. We are committed to keeping every customer connected with extended payment arrangements and working to help them secure important energy assistance. We care about our customers and have a wide range of payment options we offer based on their individual account and household income. Many of these arrangements can be made quickly and easily by calling 800-375-7117 or by visiting our website at delmarvapower.com/EnergyAssistance.
We also continue to help our customers realize the benefits of energy efficiency, educating customers on the important tips and programs available to help them reduce their energy usage and help them save money. Many of these no-cost or low-cost tips and programs can help save customers 10-20 percent on their monthly bill. Customers can learn more by visiting delmarva.com/Save.
We appreciate your partnership and support in ensuring we are all prepared for the impacts of summer storms or other emergencies. By taking a few simple steps, together we can ensure our customers and your constituents can be ready and stay safe this summer.Delmarva Power is prepared for the summer.