For Immediate Release
Contact
PJM News
(Valley Forge, Pa. – Jan. 7, 2014) – PJM Interconnection, the electricity grid operator for more than 61
million people in 13 states and the District of Columbia, is extending
its appeal for the public to conserve
electricity into Wednesday morning. The call for conservation is prompted by the continuing arctic
weather across the region PJM serves which is driving electricity consumption to record levels.
On Tuesday morning, PJM set a new winter peak of 138,600 megawatts (one megawatt is
enough
electricity to power 1,000 homes.) That record was expected to be broken Tuesday night as the grid
operator projected demand for electricity of about 140,000 megawatts. Demand was expected to
remain high – but below record levels – Wednesday morning and generating plants in the region
continue to be stressed
by the frigid temperatures.
PJM asks consumers to conserve electricity, if health permits – especially from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Wednesday. Consumers can take simple electricity conservation steps:
* Set thermostats lower than usual, if health permits,
* Postpone using major electric appliances such as stoves, dishwashers and clothes
dryers until
mid-day or after 9 p.m., when the demand for electricity decreases, and
* Turn off electric lights and appliances that you do not need or are not using.
Conserving electricity on Wednesday will help PJM ensure an adequate supply of electricity. PJM
continues to carefully monitor the
power supply conditions. If necessary, PJM will take additional steps,
such as reducing voltage.
PJM is communicating about the situation with state government officials and regional reliability
authorities throughout the region. PJM’s region includes all or parts of Delaware, Indiana, Illinois,
Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee,
Virginia,
West Virginia and the District of Columbia. PJM is coordinating efforts among generators, power
suppliers and local utilities.
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