PHOENIX – After too much heat forced rolling blackouts for thousands of people in California Friday and Saturday, APS is asking customers to save energy this afternoon and evening.
“Given the widespread heatwave in the western United States, APS is asking customers to save energy due to extreme energy demand that is making use higher in the region with today’s high temperatures,” APS said in a statement.
Tucson Electric Power has made a similar request from customers in its coverage area.
Please take steps to save energy from 3-8 hours today to help reduce the regional energy shortage during a heat wave. We expect to have enough energy to serve customers, but we ask for your help in reducing the stress on the net. Tips and more at https://t.co/Eyf2BiSn6a. pic.twitter.com/jYeG8LL7kh
– TEP (@TEPenergy) August 18, 2020
APS is asking customers to save up to 20 hours of energy on Tuesday in the following ways:
· Increase the thermostat settings to not less than 80 degrees.
· Turn off extra lights and avoid using discretionary essential appliances such as washing machines, dryers and dishwashers.
· Prevent operation of pool pumps.
APS’s request also came just hours after Arizona Corporate Commission Chairman Bob Burns sent a letter to electric utilities under the commission’s umbrella, such as APS, to see if they were in good shape or anticipate problems that were given in California. He asked the companies to respond by noon Friday.
“The whole plan is to look at the system early in the summer,” Burns said. “At the beginning of May, we will look at the system, make sure we are ready and able to serve the public throughout the entire cycle.”
Burns told ABC15 that the summer readiness workshop with utilities took place in May and the regular utilities reported that they had performed well to meet the expected peaks of the summer. Tuesday’s letter to the electric companies is trying to see if they are still able to serve “adequate, safe and reliable” customers through the heatwave, as if something happening in California could happen here.
“With the activities that occur in California, we just want to double check,” Burns said.
An APS representative told ABC15 that they have sufficient supply and reserve and do not anticipate any problems.
However, the rolling blackouts in California also caught the attention of Commissioner Lea Marquez Peterson. She calls on the president to hold an emergency meeting.
“The risk to Arizonans and the fact that energy could be interrupted, that we would have some sort of rolling blackout like California would really be a public health problem,” Peterson said. “It can be life and death in some cases for vulnerable populations.”
Chairman Burns told ABC15 he feels there is no need for an emergency meeting yet.
“We need to hear from the utilities and make sure everything is in order,” Burns said. “If it is not, then we may go that route.”
ABC15 also reached out to SRP, which does not fall under the umbrella of the corporation commission. Asked by e-mail about possible energy restrictions for consumers, a representative sent the following:
SRP does not expect any necessary energy reduction from our customers. That being said, this record heat will certainly stress our system – and all utility companies’ systems in the Southwest – so saving energy as much as possible can assist us and is something we greatly appreciate from our customers.
Click here for more information on energy saving.
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