Section 10-A1314. IN-5.1 ELECTRIC INFRASTRUCTURE

 

1314.1Electricity is delivered to District consumers by electric generation, transmission, and distribution facilities. Power plants generate high voltage electricity, which is released along transmission lines into the power grid to substations located throughout the District. From the substations, distribution lines deliver the electricity to transformers on the ground or mounted on utility poles. The transformers reduce the voltage so it can be safely used by District consumers. Currently, the Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO) supplies 95 percent of the city’s residential customers and 79 percent of the city’s commercial customers; the remainder is provided by other suppliers. 1314.1

 

1314.2In the District, PEPCO operates two oil-fired power plants located at Benning Road (550 MW) and Buzzard Point (256 MW). Oil has been the sole energy source used at these plants since coal was phased out in the mid- 1970s. However, the dependence on generating stations in the city is not as prevalent as it used to be. Today, a majority of electricity supplied to District residents is generated by coal-fueled power plants in Maryland. In addition, with the emergence of cogeneration projects and purchased power over the last 20 years, the District has access to and takes advantage of 450 megawatts from utilities as far away as Ohio. 1314.2

 

1314.3PEPCO plans to run the Benning Road and Buzzard Point power plants indefinitely. A significant PEPCO presence on other properties in the city will also be required for substations, fleet maintenance, and storage and service yards. The utility currently uses a 10-year planning horizon to estimate substation capacity. Its latest ten-year forecast determined that two new substations will be needed to meet load growth needs through 2015. A new Northeast substation, to be located near the intersection of New York Avenue and Florida Avenue NE will provide additional capacity for the NoMA, Hechinger Mall/Bladensburg Road, Rhode Island Avenue Metro, and H Street NE areas. A proposed Southeast substation near the Southeast Federal Center will provide additional substation capacity for the South Capitol Corridor, Buzzard Point, Waterside Mall, and the Southwest Waterfront areas. 1314.3

 

1314.4PEPCO is also increasing capacity at three existing substations by adding transformers and/or supplies. Existing substations will be expanded to serve growth along 7th Street, the U Street Corridor, Howard University Town Center, and Historic Anacostia. Beyond the ten-year horizon, PEPCO will site and construct substations to relieve future overloads at stations that are approaching capacity and to respond to future growth needs. At this time, PEPCO cannot determine the locations of new substations beyond the ten year horizon with any degree of certainty. 1314.4

 

1314.5Individual development projects and redevelopment on large sites will require new “feeder” lines to serve additional customers. Construction of these lines will impact existing development and infrastructure in a variety of ways. Underground distribution systems, which are typically required in new development, will require construction of new conduits, cables, and subsurface or pad-mounted transformers. Dense commercial or multi-family residential developments will often require the extension of new mainline underground feeder groups, potentially resulting in digging up of the streets and sidewalks. Public utility easements may also be needed to provide buried distribution systems inside multi-building developments. 1314.5

 

1314.6Policy IN-5.1.1: Adequate Electricity

 

Ensure adequate electric supply to serve current and future District of Columbia needs. This will require collaboration with PEPCO and other service providers. 1314.6

 

1314.7Policy IN-5.1.2: Undergrounding Electric Distribution Lines

 

Plan for the undergrounding of electric distribution lines throughout the District to provide increased reliability of service and enhanced aesthetics and safety, and seek equitable means to cover the high costs associated with undergrounding. Use the opportunity for undergrounding to bury other above-ground communication lines, such as telephone lines, wherever feasible. 1314.7

 

See the Environmental Protection Element for information about the District’s Energy Emergency Plan and Comprehensive Energy Plan.

 

notation

The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.