PSE&G Customers Urged to Conserve Electricity on Tuesday

NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Due to another round of frigid temperatures and increased electric demand, PSE&G customers are asked to conserve electricity, if health permits, on Tuesday, especially from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

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The conservation request is being made to electric utilities throughout the region by PJM Interconnection, the electricity grid operator for more than 61 million people in 13 states and the District of Columbia.  PJM continues to carefully monitor power supplies, and will do everything possible to keep power flowing in the region.

To conserve energy, customers can follow these simple 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.
• Turn off electric lights and appliances that you do not need or are not using.
• Seal up openings around and under doors and windows.
• Make sure all storm windows are down and tightly closed.
• Close dampers in unused fireplaces.
• Move furniture and drapes away from heating registers, radiators, and baseboard element covers.
• Open any register or baseboard dampers.
• Warm air systems - replace dirty/clogged air filters.
• Steam systems - check for sufficient water levels in the sight glass.

PSE&G's all-time peak winter demand for electricity was 7,195 megawatts set on February 5, 2007. Although Tuesday's projected peak will be close, the utility does not expect to exceed the all-time demand.

The utility is also closely monitoring its gas system and taking steps to ensure it can meet the demands of customers. These steps include maintaining and adjusting pressure at various points in our system. PSE&G also has extra gas personnel on hand to respond as quickly as possible and handle emergency heating requests. During the cold snap on Jan. 7, PSE&G set a new peak for gas delivery by delivering 29,715,350 therms to customers.

Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is New Jersey's oldest and largest regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly three-quarters of the state's population. PSE&G is the winner of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG), a diversified energy company (www.pseg.com).

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SOURCE Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G)