My Request for an Action Plan re Pepco

The County must create a quantifiable and actionable roadmap for what it expects from Pepco and the Maryland Public Service Commission regarding the utility company’s ongoing performance issues. That's why I sent a memorandum to the County Executive asking for a assessment and action plan by November.

Here is the full text of the memorandum:

August 9, 2012

TO: Isiah Leggett, County Executive

FROM: Nancy Floreen, Councilmember

RE: Ongoing role, influence and participation by the Montgomery County Government before the Public Service Commission (PSC) on performance issues related to Pepco

After listening to the Council's July 24 briefing and the Public Service Commission’s August 7 public hearing, I realized that while there has been significant public dialogue, the County still needs a clear roadmap of what it is asking from Pepco or the PSC.

We have heard many anecdotal stories about Pepco’s lack of preparedness, failure to communicate and deficiency in systematic investment. Also, much attention has been devoted to tree maintenance and the unprecedented circumstances of the latest storm. However, very little has been stated or documented in a quantifiable and actionable fashion.

We need to know where we stand and what exactly to do about it, as a unified County.

Therefore, I request that the County’s attorneys and outside consultants (if necessary) be tasked with providing the Executive and Council with a full assessment of the Pepco work plan, including an evaluation of Pepco's responses to the derecho storm and the continuing occurrence of blue sky outages.

Our legal team should be prepared to identify any legislative remedies which may be necessary to ensure access to Pepco data, systems and any other information that we need in order to be meaningrul participants in solving the ongoing problems.

Given the extraordinary financial losses that the County and its residents have suffered as a result of the electric infrastructure problems over recent years, there can be no doubt that the time has come to take more aggressive action. We must ensure that the excellent recommendations of the 2011 Pepco Working Group are fully implemented, and we owe it to our residents to exercise the maximum oversight of Pepco's efforts. That means we need complete and accurate data and a clearly delineated plan of action.

I propose a November date for receipt of this work in order to prepare for the 2013 legislative session if necessary.

I look forward to continuing to work with you to resolve this crisis.