April 29, 2008
LADWP URGES ENERGY CONSERVATION TO REDUCE POWER DEMAND
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) reported that peak energy demand reached a record-setting high last weekend and near-record on Monday, indicating the need for customers to reduce their electricity use.
On Monday, LADWP customer energy use peaked at 4,817 megawatts of power-the second-highest peak recorded in April for a weekday. The highest was 5,147 megawatts, recorded on April 27, 2004. On Sunday, April 27, customers used 4,168 megawatts of power, representing the highest energy peak for a Sunday in April ever recorded. The previous record was 3,736 set on April 13, 2008. On Saturday, April 26, the maximum load was 3,878 megawatts, which ties with the highest Saturday on record in April, which also happened to be April 26, 2004.
“The fact that we are seeing such high energy demand so early in the season is a wake-up call – we need our customers to take energy-saving steps that will cut back their energy use now, save them money on their power bill and be ready for continued hot temperatures this summer,” said LADWP CEO & General Manager H. David Nahai.
Today’s energy use is expected to be about 4,150 megawatts and drop back to normal levels tomorrow to about 3,550 megawatts.
There are simple things people can do to conserve energy, such as running their clothes washers, dishwashers and other appliances in the evening, when the weather is cooler and demand is lower, or by installing energy saving Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFL’s) that use approximately 1/3 the amount of energy while lasting 10 times longer than a traditional incandescent bulb. A simple change to CFLs will save customers approximately $34 off their electric bill over the life of the bulb for each incandescent bulb that is replaced.
Nahai said the LADWP’s proposed electric rate restructuring, which will be considered by the Board of Water and Power Commissioners next week, is designed to encourage customers to reduce their energy use through tiered pricing levels, which will charge a premium for high energy use and reward energy efficient customers.
Following are additional quick tips to save energy.
- Turn off lights when not in use.
- Adjust thermostat to 78 degrees or higher to reduce energy usage.
- Limit the use of appliances during peak hours of the day – use washing machines, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners and other heavy appliances during evening hours.
- Try to avoid cooking during peak hours of the day since it will add to the heat inside the home.
- Ventilate your home at night by opening windows and doors to clear out the heat and allow cooler air to circulate.
- Plant shade trees to keep your home cool and to decrease water runoff.
- Replace older appliances with energy-saving products including refrigerators, air conditions, pool pumps, clothes washers and dryers.
For more energy-saving tips and information about LADWP rebates on energy efficient products, please visit http://www.ladwp.com/.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the nation’s largest municipal utility, provides reliable, low-cost water and power services to Los Angeles residents and businesses in an environmentally responsible manner. LADWP services about 1.4 million electric customers and 680,000 water customers in Los Angeles.
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