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Conservation is Still Key as Stubborn Heat Wave Triggers Statewide Flex Alert for Today
ROSEMEAD, Calif., Aug. 14, 2012 — Conservation by Southern California Edison (SCE) customers through various savings programs during this recent heat wave has helped contribute almost 300 megawatts during peak hours — enough to power more than 200,000 homes — to the statewide grid.
And as the high temperatures continue, conservation is still key as the California Independent System Operator has issued a statewide Flex Alert for today from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. urging businesses, governments and residents to reduce electricity use voluntarily. SCE is urging its customers to conserve energy to reduce strain on the system and has crews available to respond to possible power outages.
"Our customers have shown great commitment to conservation, helping us manage the challenges presented by the high temperatures, as we continue to meet their needs and deliver reliable service," said Lynda Ziegler, executive vice president of power delivery. "If we continue to do our part, we can help manage power supply and avoid forced outages in local neighborhoods."
SCE's largest program, the Summer Discount Plan, which shuts off air conditioning for hourly intervals, has helped to alleviate strain on SCE's distribution equipment during this heat wave. Without the opportunity for SCE's equipment to cool off, transformers and other equipment could fail. SCE will continue several savings programs for residential and business customers to earn bill credits for reducing their energy consumption.
SCE has postponed a number of planned outages, but will continue to conduct some critical planned outages in its service territory. Conducting these critical planned outages helps lessen the possibility of equipment failure; unplanned outages last longer and affect more customers.
Conservation tips:
- Set thermostats no lower than 78 degrees.
- Turn off unused appliances and equipment.
- Use electric fans instead of air conditioning when practical.
- Shut off lights when leaving a room.
- Close drapes and blinds to keep out direct sunlight during hot periods.
- Avoid using evaporative coolers or humidifiers at the same time an air conditioner is running.
- Operate swimming pool equipment and energy-intensive appliances, such as dishwashers, washing machines and dryers, during early morning and evening hours.
- Limit the opening and reopening of refrigerators.
- When possible, businesses should shift power-intensive work processes to morning or evening hours.
- Turn off lights in unused areas.
For updates, follow SCE on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SCE and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SCE. An SCE video on ways to reduce energy and tips to stay cool is at: www.youtube.com/SCE.
About Southern California Edison
An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, serving a population of nearly 14 million via 4.9 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.
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