Every time you flip a light switch, start your coffee maker, or plug in your phone to charge it, you’re counting on a strong, reliable energy system working quietly in the background to ensure that power is always available.   

That reliability just got a boost for nearly 45,000 customers in Prince George’s County, thanks to a major upgrade of a key transmission line between Upper Marlboro and Brandywine. First built in 1968, this line has been powering local neighborhoods for more than 50 years. Now rebuilt to meet today’s energy needs, the line includes 10 miles of new transmission cable, more than 60 weather-resistant steel poles, and smart technology that helps keep the power flowing reliably for our customers. 

Why This Matters 

Transmission lines are like the highways of the energy system, carrying large amounts of electricity across long distances so it can reach homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses. But just like roads, these “energy highways” need maintenance and modern upgrades to stay reliable, especially as storms become more intense and demand continues to grow.  

When lines are outdated or damaged, the effect can ripple out quickly, affecting tens of thousands of people at once. These upgrades help prevent widespread outages and keep power more consistent when it matters most.  

Smarter System, Faster Response 

In addition to stronger hardware, our Pepco team added smart technology to detect system issues automatically and restore power faster, often before you even notice an issue. It’s a quiet improvement, but one that shows up in fewer disruptions and quicker recoveries when they do happen. 

Part of a Bigger Picture 

This upgrade is just one piece of a broader push to continue modernizing the grid across the District and Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. Over the past decade, these targeted upgrades have helped reduce outages by 57%, with average restoration times only 40 minutes in 2024. 

Modernizing the grid means more reliability, more flexibility, and more confidence that the energy you need will be there when you need it.   

Learn more about this and other local upgrades at pepco.com/ReliabilityProjects.