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  ENERGY NEWS |
DATELINE: June 2, 2008
PUC expects record electricity demand, asks Texans
to conserve
By ELIZABETH SOUDER
The Dallas Morning News
The commission boosted its conservation alert to yellow because of forecasts for hotter-than-normal temperatures this week. When temperatures rise, people kick up their air conditioners, using more electricity.
The commission said Monday in a news release that the state should have adequate electricity.
"The PUC asks customers to be thoughtful about electricity use to prevent unnecessary demand," the commission said.
The PUC's yellow conservation alert means Texans should conserve electricity because shortages may occur during peak usage hours, in the late afternoon.
The commission has been grappling in the last few weeks with extreme spikes in wholesale power prices.
Higher demand for power due to hot weather and power line congestion has pushed prices as high as $3,000 per megawatt-hour in some instances.
Wholesale power prices vary widely and can go from $50 per megawatt-hour to hundreds or even thousands of dollars within a single day, as demand rises and falls.
Most experts agree that the average price of power will rise this summer.
The commission offers the following tips for conserving power:
• Turn off all unnecessary lights, appliances, and electronic equipment.
• When at home, close blinds and drapes that get direct sun, set air conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, and use fans to cool the air.
• When away from home, set air conditioning thermostats to 85 degrees and turn all fans off before you leave. Block the sun by closing blinds or drapes on windows that will get direct sun.
• Do not use your dishwasher, laundry equipment, hair dryers, coffee makers, or other home appliances.
• Avoid opening refrigerators or freezers more than necessary. Use microwaves for cooking instead of an electric range or oven.
• Set your pool pump to run in the early morning or evening instead of the afternoon.
Contact: Gena Cook l Community Relations
TriEagle Energy l 877.933.2453
press@trieagleenergy.com
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