[WardFive] Adverse Storms, 6/22 &6/29/12, Pepco & Electric Undergrounding

Due to power problem areas in my SMD and other matters though I haven't responded or post much over the last week, I have been reading the EMs, focused on the ones dealing w/power issues from the storm.  Good to see discussions on the undergrounding of power lines.

 

Deflect a moment, Robby CU, I love you, but you did over the deep end in your exchange w/Alice, and not displaying understanding of the adverse impact on the affected residents, particularly our seniors, which caused some of the important points you made to be missed.

 

Now with this moment, looking at what I saw as the realities of the matters, my take on the 2 weekend storms, I previously shared my opinion on Pepco's response to the June 22nd storm which forecasters predicted many days ahead that it was coming. 

 

For the storm June 29th, for some reasons due to the hidden nature of this storm, I believe called a "derencho", from my understanding, the devastating effects could not be foreseen until the last moment, therefore there definitely was not time to have electrical and tree trimming emergency responders already in the area or on the way.  This storm hit the mid-Atlantic area hard and explains why contractors had to come from Canada, Georgia, Missouri, etc.   I understand why it took time to organize and get here.

 

I also took into consideration that at least by Thu, 6/28/12, Pepco's/DC response to the June 22 storm was winding down.

 

My area/SMD was not impacted by the 6/22 storm. For the 6/29 storm, we had short term power outages during the storm which was restored shortly after the storm. My block thru 3 other blocks had power out until about Sat, 1:30am. It was not the same for 1 resident on my block where a tree took down 2 power poles and the main pole w/transformer was directly hit by lightning.  This took out power to another 4 homes on the lower end of 200 blk Varnum St NE.  The 4400 blk 2nd St NE was also hit when there only remaining tree was hit by lightning, hit a H8 bus and took down the power lines to 3 of the 4 homes on the block.  This area's power was restored yesterday.  They are just finishing up the house on my block for the huge tree fell onto the home. 

 

There was a problem with the coordination of the services, and that will be the focus of of my testimony next week.

 

Just so no one gets off track in future discussions, you are all well aware of my concerns about Pepco, the continuous requests for rate increases even though they have been slow or "avoided" various upgrades, etc since Hurricane Irene in spite of obtained rate increases.  For this, in recent years, summer & winter, it seems it has been a "time to pay to the Piper" due to the severity of the storms that has caused Pepco to be named for this lack of attention to details, also for other reasons, "the most hated utility in the country" and "the Evil Empire".

 

Yes, ratepayers, elected officials, OPC are frustrated, angry at Pepco.  I expressed the same in my testimonies, but saw to it virtually no affect.  In adverse situations, my motto is, "see a situation as it is and that is what it will be. See a situation as it should be, and that is what it will become."

 

From observations and company character, I have said in testimony and directly to Tom Graham that he has some great people working for Pepco, work needs to be done to improve the business/field operations and culture, manners of its field workers, perception in the community. The previously expressed, "I don't care" mentality since we are making money just wasn't acceptable.  From an uplifting of its character, accepting and taking from constructive criticism instead of seeing the ratepayers as "enemies", Pepco could still be a highly successful company, welcomed and appreciated in the community.

 

Earlier this week, there was an Internet consumer survey article which included Pepco as having made at  least a 28% improvement in its operations.  Since Gov O'Malley and others jump on Pepco last year along with the fines, Pepco has made some strides.  We all seen the Pepco TV/print commercials/ads which is a good step, but for some reason, there are some steps taken backwards whether intentional or unintentional. 

 

For example, from the Wash Times article of yesterday discussing the electrical undergrounding during the meeting with our elected and apoointed officials.  Pepco Sr. VP William Gausman said, "We're not opposed to undergrounding.  It has to be a partnership bewteen you, and commission, ourselves."  Well, I understanding the level of this meeting, however, during this highly sensitive time Mr. Gausman knowing the possibility that his statement might be in the news could have considered the ratepayers in his quote, since they would also be a party to this effort thru their payment of bills and any inconveniences that might arise if there is undergrounding their neighborhoods.

 

If there is a more structured, organized undergrounding effort, I will include in my testimony the need for a pro-active Working Group that includes not only Pepco, DC officials, and for transparency should include ANCs and other civic leaders, interested residents so everyone knows what is going on.

 

Since there has been and will continue to be an increase in seasonal storms due to Global Warming whether real or not, there should also be a Working Group on to develop recommendations for Council/Mayor consideration for community involvement and coordination of "shelter in place", reconstruction services,communications, or other options that could arise.  During the early part of the year I tried to schedule some of the training that DC HSEMA provides but my schedule didn't permit.  Will definitely try to fit in ASAP. http://hsema.dc.gov/page/hsema-training-and-exercise-division.

Mayor Gray and/or HSEMA has promoted the available HSEMA training programs.

 

For those interested in the potential Undergrounding project, I have attached the "Final Report: Study of the Feasibility and Reliability of Undergrounding Electric Distribution Lines in the District of Columbia, Formal Case 1026, July 1, 2010, by the Shaw Consultants International, Inc.  126 pgs.

Please forgive typos.

 

"Let there be Light"
 
Albrette "Gigi" Ransom
Commissioner, ANC 5C12
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