PUC Urges Electricity Conservation
The Public Utility Commission (PUC) continues to urge Texans to conserve electricity this week as severe drought conditions and record high temperatures persist throughout the electric grid managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).
The PUC advises residential and business customers to adjust air conditioning thermostats at least two degrees higher and turn off unnecessary lighting. Customers also are being asked to run dishwashing and laundry appliances either in the morning or after sunset. In the summer, electricity usage peaks between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
“Texans really need to save energy these last few days of August,” said PUC Chairman Donna Nelson. “On Sunday we had the highest demand ever for a weekend day within ERCOT, and we expect even greater demand now that the work week is underway.”
The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory on Monday for several areas of Texas, including the Houston, San Antonio and Austin metropolitan areas.
The current conservation alert can be found the PowerfulAdvice section on the PUC Web site by linking to the colored box near the lower right corner of the PUC home page www.puc.state.tx.us
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Conservation Needed
Power Watch
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On YELLOW days, extra conservation measures are urged because of a chance that electricity shortages may occur during the peak usage hours. Check other no or low-cost conservation tips and other energy efficiency improvements you can make to your home by clicking on the links from the Web page: http://www.puc.state.tx.us/agency/conserve/Conserve.aspx
Go to www.powertochoose.org to see if you can save money by switching to a lower cost retail electricity provider. Price offers are at historical lows in the Texas retail electric competitive market. Your choice of electric provider does not affect the reliability of your electric service, the frequency or duration of outages, or the time it will take to have your electric service restored if an outage occurs.
Information about bill payment assistance, low-income weatherization and energy efficiency measures is available on the PUC Website and by phone toll-free at 1-888-782-8477.
All PUC News Releases are available at www.puc.state.tx.us