If your power is out, it is recommended that you let your local utility know your current situation. Even if every other household in your neighborhood has already called, you should do so, too. It's what the "experts" on radio and TV are saying.

With that in mind, here's the phone numbers for all of the utilities in our area:

Pepco: 877-737-2662

Dominion Power: 866-366-4357

Allegheny Power: 800-255-3443

No. Va. Electric Cooperative: 888-335-0500

BGE: 877-778-2222

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative: 877-747-6326

And for EA commercial and residential customers who have chosen to lower their electricity rates through our services, keep in mind that your local utility is still responsible for fixing power outages, removing dangerous downed power lines, and so on. That's what the "distribution" (sometimes called "delivery") portion of your electricity bill goes toward.

In other words -- no matter if you are a customer of ours or not, you need to report your outage to your local utility. Several of us at EA who have made that choice and are being affected by the power outage already have (including yours truly*).

Hopefully we'll be all back "up" soon!

*So, you may be asking, how is yours truly posting this entry, if his power is out? Well, I'm making the best of the situation, by going to my favorite cigar lounge (that just happens to be WiFi-equipped) in Olney: Davidus Cigars.