Photo by Justin Hoffman

After the good residents and businesses of Bloomingdale dealt with a number of power outages last month, Pepco has taken steps to keep the lights on.

From the Washington Business Journal:

The company replaced three existing transformers with higher capacity models, according to Pepco spokesman Marcus Beal. The new transformers were all in the area affected by the outages in recent weeks, near the intersection of Rhode Island Avenue NW and First St. NW.

Two more new transformers will be installed next week, one at Flagler Place and V Street NW and another on Rhode Island between North Capitol and First streets NW.

An email from Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5) to Bloomingdale residents said “increased load, caused by growth in the area has put stress on the aging infrastructure.”

While recent outages certainly affected residents, they took a financial toll on local businesses. As the Bloomingdale Neighborhood blog reported, Boundary Stone was assured by Pepco that their power would stay on during next week’s transformer work. They had good reason to ask: Gareth Croke, co-owner and general manager of the restaurant, said in an email to Pepco that outages have cost the business over $13,000.