“I can’t help but wonder if it’s time someone looks into what’s going on–perhaps even Pepco?”

“Dear PoPville,

For the second time in a week we have widespread power outage issues in the triangle east of 2nd St NE, South of Florida Ave and north of the H Street. On the Pepco outage map it looks like approximately 1,300 customers are without power. Last week’s outage(s) map looked like a “Whac-A-Mole” game, one outage would get fixed and multiple smaller ones would pop up.

Besides the obvious frustration of not having power–especially in the summer heat–is that it’s been happening for the last several years. For awhile we’ve assumed it was the massive amount of development in the area. That either the power grid can’t handle the higher usage due to the increased number of units and summer AC or construction crews were hitting the lines.

If the power grid can’t handle the density/higher usage–why are more and more developments getting approved? Shouldn’t they update the power grid before more and more apartment buildings and businesses come online?

If it’s construction crews hitting the lines, why haven’t they worked out a process to deter this–fines, supervision, etc?

Regardless, we’re in the dark (pun intended), without any answers. And if the past week has been any indication it’s not getting any better. If it’s one of the two issues above–it’ll undoubtedly get worse. Last week’s outage occurred when it was not even very hot out, meaning ACs were probably not running at capacity.

I can’t help but wonder if it’s time someone looks into what’s going on–perhaps even Pepco? It’s public utility and the DC Council has a lot of power (pun intended).”