PJM Grid Operator Asks Consumers To Conserve Electricity On Tuesday

Cold Weather Pushes Electricity Use Higher

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Jan 06, 2014, 09:02 ET

VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Jan. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- PJM Interconnection, the electricity grid operator for more than 61 million people in 13 states and the District of Columbia, is requesting the public to conserve electricity on Tuesday. The call for conservation is prompted by the continuing frigid weather.

The request is being made throughout the region served by PJM.

Demand for electricity is expected to increase because of the extremely cold weather. PJM asks consumers to conserve electricity, if health permits – especially from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Electricity customers can take simple electricity conservation steps:

Set thermostats lower than usual, if health permits,
Postpone using major electric appliances such as stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers until mid-day or after 9 p.m., when the demand for electricity decreases, and
Turn off electric lights and appliances that you do not need or are not using.

Conserving electricity on Tuesday will help ensure adequate power supplies. PJM continues to carefully monitor the power supply conditions. It will do everything possible to keep power flowing in the region. If necessary, PJM will take additional steps, such as reducing voltage.

PJM is communicating about the situation with state government officials and regional reliability authorities throughout the region. PJM's region includes all or parts of Delaware, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. PJM is coordinating efforts among generators, power suppliers and local utilities.

PJM Interconnection, founded in 1927, ensures the reliability of the high-voltage electric power system serving 61 million people in all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. PJM coordinates and directs the operation of the region's transmission grid, which includes 62,556 miles of transmission lines; administers a competitive wholesale electricity market; and plans regional transmission expansion improvements to maintain grid reliability and relieve congestion. Visit PJM at www.pjm.com.