Corporation Commission calls an emergency meeting on power supply
The call for an emergency meeting comes as Arizona is experiencing extreme heat, and neighboring California is experiencing rolling blackouts.
PHOENIX – With Arizona dealing with record heat and neighboring California dealing with rolling blackouts as a result of extreme temperatures in that state, members of the Arizona Corporation are requesting an emergency meeting.
“Friday affected several million people. Saturday, another one million people. So my concern was how prepared we are in Arizona. Has anything changed with the incredible heat in Phoenix,” said Corps Commissioner Lea Marquez Peterson.
Peterson says the commission needs an emergency meeting to get assurances from utilities that blackouts will not happen in Arizona.
“If air conditioning was turned off in Arizona when energy was affected, it could be a life-and-death situation here with our intense temperatures,” Peterson said.
APS calls for energy saving measures
In the afternoon of August 18, officials with supplier APS urged residents in their opposing region to retain power, due to extreme energy demand as a result of high temperatures.
According to a statement published by the utilities supplier, officials say that peak usage on its system usually occurs between 3pm and 8pm, and they are asking customers to reduce energy consumption during this time, suggesting that customers:
- Increase the thermostat settings to at least 80 ° F
- Turn off extra lights
- Avoid use of large appliances, such as dishwashers, washing machines and dryers
- Avoid operation of pool pumps
“As the entire region experiences extreme temperatures, the demand for electricity can approach the full available capacity of supply, and that is why every customer taking steps to use less power will make a difference in preventing service interruptions. , “wrote officials.
“We ask to keep our customers because we are part of a widespread weather event, which affects the power supply, and although our deliveries are good, but the off-chance that something happens, we want the lights can stay on for our customers, “said APS spokesman Jill Hanks.
Hanks also spoke about the possibility of blackouts in Arizona.
“We do not expect some of the extreme measures to be taken as California is with rolling blackouts,” Hanks said.
August 18 saw another day of record highs for the Valley, with Phoenix reaching 115 ° F at one point in the afternoon, breaking an old record set back in 2011.
