[Press Release] : Peak warning issued for Wednesday

[Press Releases]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2007

CONTACT: Connie Kacprowicz
Public Information Specialist
-or-
Dan Dasho
Director of Water and Light
(573) 874-7325

Peak warning issued for Wednesday				

	(COLUMBIA, MO) - Columbia Water & Light has issued a peak
warning to request customers conserve electricity during the afternoon
hours on Wednesday, Aug. 15. During the recent heat wave, voluntary
electric load reduction programs and conservation efforts have kept the
electric demand from climbing too high. Controlling peak loads helps the
utility save money by not purchasing expensive wholesale energy. If
demand isn’t reduced, it can add millions of dollars to Columbia’s
electric costs and could potentially raise electric rates.
	Columbia’s highest electric load occurred on August 2, 2006
and was 265 megawatts. The utility has not reached a higher peak this
year. Increased participation in the Load Shedding and Load Management
programs have helped by shaving around 20 megawatts from the afternoon
loads. Both of these programs were used on Tuesday, Aug. 14, and will be
used again on Wednesday. 
Columbians are encouraged to follow these steps from noon until 7
p.m.:
-	Set thermostats to 78 degrees and turn up the thermostat to 82
degrees when the building is unoccupied.
-	Close window shades that receive direct sunlight.
-	Delay doing laundry.
-	Postpone using automatic dishwashers and dehumidifiers.
-	Avoid heating up the kitchen by grilling, using the microwave or
preparing a cool meal.
-	Check and change the air conditioning/furnace filter so the unit
can run efficiently.

- 30 -
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