NEWS INFORMATION

ALAMEDA P&T JOINS IN CALL FOR CONSERVATION

ALAMEDA, Calif., August 29, 2007 —Alameda Power & Telecom reports that the California Independent System Operator (ISO) may declare Stage 1 and Stage 2 Emergencies, calls for reduced electric use, on both Wednesday afternoon and Thursday afternoon.

Although Alameda's power supplies are secure, the utility is encouraging consumers to join in the effort to curtail electric use in order to ensure that the State's transmission grid and supplies remain available to serve all Californians.

In a Stage 1 Emergency, consumers are urged to reduce their use of electricity voluntarily to avoid severe conditions.  A Stage 2 Emergency adds voluntary interruption of service to select customers is possible to avoid more severe conditions.  In a Stage 3 Emergency, consumers are advised that involuntary interruptions of service or rolling blackouts have begun and will continue until the emergency has passed.
 
The late-summer heat wave now bearing down on California and the western region of the country is causing the highest electricity demands thus far this summer.  The ISO has declared Wednesday and Thursday Flex Alert Days and is urging consumers to conserve energy and reduce demand on the system during the peak hours of 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
 
Alamedans can help by adopting the ISOs Powerful Habits of:

• Turning off unnecessary lights and appliances
  
  
• Using big appliances, including washers, dryers, and ovens in the early morning or later at night
  
  
• Drawing drapes
  
  
• If necessary, cooling with fans
  
  
• If using an air-conditioner, setting the thermostat at 78 degrees or higher

While reducing air conditioning use is one way to conserve energy, people whose health could be compromised should not put themselves at risk. Additional tips on reducing energy use can be found at www.fypower.org.

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