09/06/2022
Stay cool and conserve…here’s some tips to save energy.
Rotating outages possible today from 4 to 9 p.m.
—Significant conservation is necessary—
The unprecedented heat wave has led to record demand for electricity and critically tight power supplies across the state. SMUD forecasts energy shortfalls into the evening hours.
Rotating outages are possible unless electric consumption is greatly reduced between the hours of 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. The following are the top ways residential customers can conserve electricity and help avoid emergency rotating outages:
✔️ Set thermostats to 80 degrees or higher.
✔️ Don’t run large appliances or equipment during peak hours and turn off unnecessary lights.
✔️ Charge personal electronic devices and electric vehicles before 4 p.m. or after 9 p.m.
Commercial and industrial customers are asked to reduce the use of lighting not essential for safety purposes in garages, hallways, lobbies, warehouses and displays. The minimized use of office equipment, supply and exhaust fans, circulating pumps, and maintenance and repair equipment will also lower the demand for electricity.
SMUD will exhaust every avenue before rotating outages are called. This includes buying power on the open market, activating its voluntary Air Conditioning Load Management program, and calling on commercial customers who have previously agreed to reduce consumption.
Should rotating outages become necessary, affected customers will be notified in advance whenever possible. No customer will be out of power for more than approximately one hour. SMUD would rotate outages by sections until the emergency is over. No section will be repeated until all 39 sections have been cycled through. Customers can learn which section they are in at smud.org/RotatingOutage.
