SPEAK OUT: Is There an Alternative to Pepco?

Montgomery County residents fed up with what they see as Pepco's unreliablity will discuss options other than the long-time, investor-owned utility supplier.

This prompted a response from local officials, including Montgomery County Council President Roger Berliner, who blasted Pepco for what he called an "unacceptable" performance.

In an effort to explore new options, community members and officials will look into an option called public power.

These utilities are not-for-profit electric systems owned and operated by the people they serve through a local or state government. The power is supplied by green sources, including hydroelectric, wind or solar.

A few public systems already in use are based in California, Puerto Rico and New York, serving a total of 4 million customers, according to Public Power for Montgomery County.

This public meeting is set for Wednesday, Oct. 3, inside the Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza, One Veterans Place at 7 p.m.

Participants can RSVP. 

What do you think about a public option for a utility supplier? What do you think about Pepco's performance?