When the lights go out, the clock starts ticking—and Dale is one of the first people in the hot seat. From restoring thousands of homes in minutes to making split-second safety calls, his job in SMECO's operations center blends adrenaline, strategy, and teamwork under extreme pressure.

In this episode, Dale shares his journey from lineman to distribution system supervisor, what really happens behind the scenes during major outages, and why safety always comes before speed. You'll hear real outage stories, surprising tech tools that keep the grid running, and the unseen decisions that shape how fast your lights come back on.

Key Takeaways:

• How outage restoration is prioritized in life-or-death scenarios
• The technology and teamwork powering SMECO's operations center
• Why "calm under chaos" is the most important skill in the room
  
  

Whether you're curious about how the grid works or inspired by people who thrive in high-stakes environments, this conversation pulls back the curtain on an essential, often invisible job that keeps communities running.

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What really drives your electric bill—and what's happening in Annapolis right now that could shape it for years to come?

In this episode of SMECO Connects, hosts Sonja Cox and Tom Dennison break down the Maryland General Assembly's 90-day session, rising power costs, and why being at the table matters for SMECO's member-owners. Drawing on decades of experience, they share how smart advocacy, long-term planning, and cooperative values help protect reliability and affordability in a rapidly changing energy landscape.

Key takeaways include:

• How legislation and state mandates impact electricity prices
• Why SMECO's cooperative model sets it apart from investor-owned utilities
• What's ahead for power generation, renewables, and grid reliability in Maryland
  
  

As energy policy debates heat up, this conversation offers a clear look at how SMECO continues to advocate for its members—keeping costs down while planning responsibly for the future. Tune in and stay connected to the issues that power our communities.

Follow & Connect:
Host: Sonja Cox
Co-Host: Tom Dennison

SMECO on Instagram: somdelectric
SMECO on X: somdelectric

What happens when electricity demand surges faster than the grid can keep up?

In this episode of SMECO Connects, hosts Sonja Cox and Tom Dennison sit down with Brian Lee and Kevin Ellenberger from ACES Power Marketing to unpack what's really happening in today's power markets—from rising capacity costs to the growing impact of data centers and AI-driven demand. They break down complex topics like capacity pricing, generation shortages, renewables, nuclear power, and why reliability is becoming one of the most critical challenges facing utilities today.

Together, they also explore how SMECO's long-standing partnership with ACES helps protect members through thoughtful planning, smart risk management, and a balanced, forward-looking power portfolio—all while keeping reliability front and center for Southern Maryland.

Key takeaways include:

• Why electricity demand is accelerating faster than expected
• How data centers and AI are reshaping the power grid
• What "capacity" really means—and why it matters to your bill
• How SMECO plans ahead to maintain reliability and stability
  
  

Reliable power doesn't happen by accident—it happens through collaboration, expertise, and long-term vision. Tune in to learn how SMECO and its partners are working together to power our communities today and into the future.

Follow & Connect:
Host: Sonja Cox
Co-Host: Tom Dennison

SMECO on Instagram: somdelectric
SMECO on X: somdelectric