The District of Columbia is set to undergo significant improvements to its electrical infrastructure through the DC Plug initiative, aimed at enhancing the resilience of the power supply. During a recent government meeting, officials outlined the project’s scope, timeline, and expected benefits, emphasizing the transition from overhead power lines to underground systems.

Mark Frere, a senior project manager with Pepco, highlighted the initiative's origins, tracing back to 2012 when the mayor established an undergrounding task force in response to severe storms that disrupted power across the city. The project, which has received a substantial investment of $500 million, aims to reduce the impact of outages caused by fallen trees and severe weather.

The meeting detailed the construction phases, with civil construction expected to begin in spring 2025 and electrical construction slated for fall 2026. The project will involve extensive trenching and installation of electrical conduits, followed by the energizing of the new underground lines. While electricity will remain on during most of the project, a brief scheduled outage will be necessary to facilitate the transition from overhead to underground lines.

Cesar Barreto from the District Department of Transportation provided updates on the design process, noting that the project is currently in the design phase, with a 100% final submission anticipated by June 2024. The initiative aims to minimize the number of residents affected by power outages during storms, as underground systems are expected to provide greater reliability compared to the existing overhead infrastructure.

Officials expressed gratitude for the community's patience as they work to enhance the electrical service for residents, marking a significant step towards a more resilient power grid in the District of Columbia.