Derecho
Regulators criticize Verizon's response to storm
Federal regulators have issued a sharply critical report on phone problems that followed a severe wind storm in the Washington-metro area last year.
FCC to Verizon: Derecho 911 outage 'unacceptable'
A disruption in emergency services during the June derecho could been avoided. That is the finding of the Federal Communications Commission after looking into the Verizon outage that left more than 1 million people without 911 services.
911 still vulnerable to powerful storms
Two massive storms in the past five months have caused widespread outages and even an emergency system failure. The question now: Does new technology leave people more vulnerable to emergency system failures and the dangers that go with them?
Report criticizes Verizon response to 911 failure
A draft report presented to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Wednesday recommends a series of changes in response to the June derecho that knocked out the 911 system in Northern Virginia.
Virginia investigates 911 phone system failure
The failure of a large portion of the region's 911 emergency system after the derecho in June has produced another investigation.
Comparing Washington's recent derechos
The severe windstorm that roared southeast from the Great Lakes into the Mid-Atlantic in June was an extreme weather event for the Washington, D.C. metro area. The storm system left extensive tree damage in its wake and more than one million people were without power.
PSC utility wraps up derecho hearings
Almost two months after the derecho ripped through the region leaving more than one million customers without power, an investigation by regulators into how utilities handled the storm is moving into a new phase.
O'Malley kicks off talks on utility performance
With businesses losing productivity and customers complaining they can't count on having power even in good weather, Maryland's Gov. Martin O'Malley is kicking off a series of roundtable discussions on ways to build a better electric grid.
Verizon: June storm response was insufficient
Verizon is acknowledging widespread failures in its 911 emergency backup systems during a June storm that hit the Washington region.
Pepco customers demand PSC take action
Upset that Pepco plans to ask for another rate hike, customers lashed out at Maryland regulators Tuesday night, demanding they take action.
WTOP Beltway Poll: Customers support buried power lines
After every major power outage, there's a call to bury electric lines. The latest WTOP Beltway Poll shows which utility customers favor that move the most.
WTOP Beltway Poll: Most satisfied with electric companies
The latest WTOP Beltway Poll shows that 88 percent of customers continued to remain satisfied with their electric utility after the June derecho.
WTOP Beltway Poll: Pepco customers most dissatisfied
Pepco customers who lost power in the wake of the June 29 derecho are much more critical of their utility's performance than customers of other major utilities who were left in the dark, according to a new WTOP Beltway Poll.
Port City Brewing releases Derecho Common beer
A local brewery that lost power during the derecho is getting sweet revenge on Mother Nature with a new brew that the storm almost ruined.
BGE: Despite outages, expect higher Aug. bills
July had 19 days with higher than 90 degree temperatures and three days over 100 degrees. June had 12 days over 90 degrees and one over 100 degrees. As a result, BGE's more than 650,000 customers should expect to shell out more than usual for their bills.
BGE's response to derecho differed from Pepco's
WTOP's Kate Ryan reports.
Pepco tried different strategies with derecho
Pepco says it tried new strategies as the June 29 derecho struck Maryland, according to a post-storm assessment the utility filed with the Maryland Public Service Commission Monday.
O'Malley calls for study on burying power lines
Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has issued an executive order that calls for a study into improving infrastructure and burying power lines. It comes less than a month after a devastating derecho and a week after regulators gave Pepco the approval necessary to raise electric rates.
Bethesda family says derecho still dominates life
It's been nearly a month since a violent storm ripped through the region, one Bethesda family is still recovering.
PSC: Politicians won't dominate derecho hearings
WTOP's Kate Ryan reports.
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