Electricity Usage Skyrocketing

AUSTIN, TX - The operators of the state power grid want customers to cut back on how much electricity you use. Demand is hitting all time levels and that can put a strain on the entire power grid.

At Austin Energys Sand Hill Power Plant, the 36 employees there spent the last several months preparing for this heat wave. Now, 24 hours a day, they monitor every meter and gage, looking for problems.

"When it gets up to those 106s and stuff you just kind of hang on and hope it all runs," said plant manger John Wester.

ERCOT, the agency that manages the power grid in North, Central, and South Texas, wants residential and commercial customers to turn off items that use electricity during the evening, from 3 to 7 pm. It is also recommended to set thermostats at 80-degrees, as well as closing blinds and curtains.

It does help, even the average homeowner, and we recommend things like keeping your blinds closed, especially where direct sunlight is hitting your windows, said Austin Energy spokesperson Leslie Schneiweiss.

In east Austin, Joyce Whitle is trying to follow the advice. For her, the thought of losing power is a scary thought.

"EMS would be over here, I could hardly breath," said Whitle.

Austin Energy is expanding the Sand Hill plant, by adding two new Power generators. The plan is to have them go on line before next summer.

Businesses and consumers are encouraged to:
· Set air conditioning thermostats to 80 degrees or higher.
· Cool with fans.
· Close blinds and drapes on windows that get direct sun.
· Turn off all unnecessary lights, appliances, and electronic equipment.
· Avoid using big appliances between the hours of 3 to 7 p.m.

See more conservation tips at Powerful Advice, Public Utility Commission of Texas