Texas May Reach Electricity Record
Posted 2009-07-09
By Gina
Cherundolo
A power watch as been declared for
Texas, as the state may break its record for electricity usage today amid temperatures in the triple digits.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) urges Texans to limit energy consumption between the peak hours of 3 and 7 p.m. and to raise
thermostats, use fans, close blinds and cut usage of unnecessary appliances today in an effort to prevent an electricity emergency.
"We don't anticipate any electricity emergencies today, but we have restricted reserves available today due to several unplanned generation outages,"
Vice President of System Planning and Operations Kent Saathoff said in a news release. "Any additional generation outages or higher-than-expected
loads could reduce our reserves below minimum levels."
The current record for electricity usage in Texas is 62,339 megawatts (MW), set on Aug. 17, 2006. Officials expect today's total to challenge that
amount.
McAllen, Texas, has had five straight days of record-breaking
heat, with a record-challenging temperature of 103 degrees expected today. The entire state is in the midst of of a
heat wave that has lasted since mid-June. Southeastern Texas has been classified
as an exceptional drought area by the
United States Drought Monitor.
ERCOT is the independent system operator for most of Texas and the only power grid in the country that serves a single state.
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