After several consecutive days of intense heat, Con Edison is asking 96,000 of its customers in the southwestern part of Brooklyn to reduce their use of air conditioning and other large appliances today.
The utility company said it is reducing the electricity supply by 8% as a way to prevent the system from being overloaded, while repairing the electrical cables currently in that part of the district.
Residents living in Borough Park, Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Gowanus, Fort Hamilton, Park Slope, and Dyker Heights will be asked to cut today as temperatures will reach 90 degrees in New York again, and are expected to the heat index reaches 95 degrees. (Forecasters say the heat wave will break tomorrow, with highs falling in the 1970s and 1980s over the next few days.)
Despite the fact that Con Edison mentions that equipment problems “have no effect on the rest of the Con Edison system,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said at his morning press conference that individual conservation would protect “our electricity supply for all New Yorkers. “
He also urged residents of specific Brooklyn neighborhoods to comply with Con Ed’s request.
“His power supply is in danger right now,” de Blasio said. “Please take this warning seriously.”
Con Edison reports a problem with the power grid in parts of Brooklyn, so WE NEED New Yorkers to conserve energy today if they live in:
• Bay Ridge
• Fort Hamilton
• South Park Slope
• Greenwood
• Sunset ParkWe will provide Con Ed updates when we have them.
– New York Mayor’s Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) July 30, 2020
The Windsor Terrace, Kensington, Flatbush, and Bensonhurst neighborhoods will also be affected by the reduced voltage even though there are no equipment issues in those neighborhoods.
“If you have two air conditioners, use only one and set it to the most comfortable temperature,” Con Ed said in a statement. They are also asking customers to reconsider using washers, dryers, and microwaves to conserve energy.
Similar calls for Con Edison’s energy conservation were made in the Bronx last week when another heat wave threatened supply, and an estimated 2,500 Con Ed customers in the district lost power.
We are asking some of our customers on the west side of Brooklyn to conserve energy while the company’s teams repair equipment. We have reduced the voltage by 8 percent in the area to protect equipment and maintain service as equipment performs repairs. #safetyfirst https://t.co/Bz5au8XhyN
– Con Edison (@ConEdison) July 30, 2020
Since the city began to reopen, pools, beaches, and cooling centers have been made available to keep cool, though their locations are too far away for at least a third of New York City’s seniors to use them easily.
Anyone can report a cut by calling 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633) or at www.conEd.com/reportoutage.
