LIPA Ready for Heat Wave
Conservation Urged
New Peak Demand Records Expected
East Garden City, NY – August 1, 2006 – As the metropolitan area
enters a multi-day extreme heat wave, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) is
anticipating that new peak records for electricity demand will be set, and urges
its residential and commercial customers to conserve electricity as much as
possible.
With 6211 Megawatts (MW) of electric supply available from both on- and
off-island resources, LIPA projects that peak hour demand today, August 1st,
could exceed 5650 MWs, and projects that tomorrow, August 2nd, when temperatures
near the 100 degree mark, peak hour demand could surpass 5700 MWs. The demand
forecast for Thursday is projected to be approximately 5300 MWs, based on
today’s weather forecasts. Barring any sudden loss of resources, LIPA will have
an adequate supply of electricity to meet the increased demand.
“During extreme heat conditions everyone seeks relief in air conditioned
environments at home and at work,” said LIPA Chairman Richard Kessel. “In fact,
air conditioning use can account for anywhere from 30 to 40 percent of our
summer demand, so it’s exceptionally important that we use our electric supply
efficiently to help protect public health.
“Since we’re expecting record electric use over the next few days, we’re
urging everyone to use their air conditioners, and major appliances, wisely, and
try not to use them during peak demand hours of noon to 8PM today through
Thursday. Doing little things to conserve electricity can add up to big savings
that will help stretch our available resources and keep the lights on for
everyone during this period of high demand.
“Using electricity wisely saves resources, saves money, saves the
environment, and will help protect the public’s health and wellbeing,” said Mr.
Kessel.
“KeySpan generation assets are fully available and operating, and our KeySpan
crews are at full strength to serve LIPA customers and assure reliable energy
supply to Long Island,” said Robert B. Catell, KeySpan Chairman and CEO.
Since high temperatures combined with high electric demand places added
stress on LIPA’s electric system, some scattered heat-related outages could
occur. As a result, Mr. Kessel said LIPA will have extra repair crews working
longer shifts, especially during the 4PM to mid-night shift, to respond to
service interruptions.
Because some locations are difficult to get to because of their remoteness or
especially heavy traffic patterns, such as Fire Island, the South Fork and the
Rockaway Peninsula in Queens (the only location within the City of New York
served by LIPA), some service crews will be pre-positioned to help expedite an
outage response.
To conserve electricity, LIPA customers should:
- Eliminate non-essential electric use such decorative lighting;
- Put air conditioners on timers, don't let them run when not at home;
- Set air conditioners at 78 degrees;
- Use fans to circulate cool air to help cut air conditioner use;
- Set refrigerators and freezers at most efficient temperatures; and
- Run major appliances such as clothes washers and dryers, and dishwashers
in the morning or late evening. Avoid peak demand hours of noon. to 8 p.m.
Customers who experience an outage should call 1-800- 490-0075.
Additional energy conservation tips can be obtained from LIPA's Web site,
www.lipower.org, or by calling its Infoline at 1-800-692-2626.
LIPA, a non-profit municipal electric system, owns the retail electric
Transmission and Distribution System (T&D) on Long Island and provides electric
service to over 1.1 million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the
Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. In terms of customers served, LIPA is the 3rd
largest municipal electric utility in the nation and the 6th largest in terms of
electricity delivered. LIPA does not provide natural gas service or own any
on-island electric generating assets.
MEDIA ADVISORY: Should the status of LIPA’s electric supply or
transmission and distribution system change during the heat wave, a news release
will be issued immediately.
LIPA will conduct a media briefing on electric demand projected for August
2nd, starting at 11:30AM, at the Dye Training Facility on Hoffman Lane in
Islandia just prior to the start of a presentation on the Superconducting Cable
project that LIPA, the U.S. Department of Energy, and American Superconductor
Corporation are jointly advancing on Long Island. |
