PJM Asks Consumers In BGE And Pepco Regions To Conserve Electricity

VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Jan. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- PJM Interconnection, the electricity grid operator for more than 61 million people in 13 states and the District of Columbia, has requested the public in the BGE and Pepco regions to conserve electricity today and Friday. The call for conservation was prompted by continuing frigid weather increasing the demand for electricity and placing stress on generating resources.

PJM asks consumers to conserve electricity, if health permits – especially from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.  today and 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday. Conserving electricity will help ensure adequate power supplies. 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.

The prolonged, extremely cold weather is causing high demand for electricity. As a result, PJM and its members are managing a very tight power supply.  The prolonged cold requires some generating units to operate more often and for more hours than normal. It also stresses generator components.  Any resulting unplanned shutdowns can further tighten power supplies.

PJM and its members are doing everything possible to avoid taking other steps affecting the public.

Utility customers who are demand response providers have also been asked to reduce their electricity use. These customers agreed in advance to eliminate or significantly reduce their use of electricity when called upon and are paid for cutting back their electricity use.

PJM is communicating about the situation with state government officials throughout the region.

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.

SOURCE PJM Interconnection