-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Kna+L9of8DVqe4jvN0NQG5Hq7tKVpqulKfDOuuJjMjBAbrpVDoSkrDowZVZ6ZBOa
 pf3yf4gn7aSq0qyAzDKWIg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001135971-05-000226.txt : 20050810
<SEC-HEADER>0001135971-05-000226.hdr.sgml : 20050810
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050810122429
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001135971-05-000226
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050810
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050810
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050810

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			POTOMAC ELECTRIC POWER CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000079732
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911]
		IRS NUMBER:				530127880
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			VA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		701 NINTH STREET, NW
		STREET 2:		C/O JANET PARKER OR LINDA EPPERLY RM 841
		CITY:			WASHINGTON
		STATE:			DC
		ZIP:			20068
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2028722000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		701 NINTH STREET, NW
		STREET 2:		OFFICE OF CORPORATE SECY., ROOM 1300
		CITY:			WASHINGTON
		STATE:			DC
		ZIP:			20068

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CLARK RONALD K
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001176444

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-01072
		FILM NUMBER:		051012634

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		202-872-2249

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		701 NINTH STREET, NW
		CITY:			WASHINGTON
		STATE:			DC
		ZIP:			20068
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-08-10</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000079732</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>POTOMAC ELECTRIC POWER CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>POM</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001176444</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CLARK RONALD K</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>701 NINTH STREET, NW</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WASHINGTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>DC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>20068</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President and Controller</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>No securities beneficially owned</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Ronald K. Clark by Ellen Sheriff Rogers, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-08-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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