New York Power Authority Activates Power Demand Reduction Program Thursday in Response to Hot Weather

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August 14, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK—The New York Power Authority (NYPA) activated its Peak Load Management (PLM) program Thursday in New York City in anticipation of high electricity demand as a result of the hot and humid weather. It marked the third day of the summer that NYPA has put the program into effect.

“Our Peak Load Management program contributes to reliability of electricity service in New York City during the hottest days of the summer when air-conditioner use pushes power demand to its highest levels,” said Louis P. Ciminelli, NYPA chairman.  “The program is made possible through cutback in power use by some of our largest customers on those days.”

Ciminelli noted that the participating customers—both businesses and government organizations—are committed to reduce their electricity demand for a total of more than 60,000 kilowatts (kw) at about 80 locations in the city, when called upon by NYPA.  (That is about equal to the electricity demand of 60,000 homes.)  The customers receive $40 for each kilowatt of electricity they save.

NYPA may request power cutbacks for up to 15 weekdays during June through September, with the standard duration up to six hours (noon-6 p.m.). 

Notices of the possible activation of the program, now in its fourth year, are issued by the Power Authority the day ahead.  Those are confirmed on the morning of the event.  

Among the participating customers are the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the City University of New York. 

Participants achieve power cutbacks through various measures, including turning off or dimming nonessential lighting, adjusting air-conditioner settings and using on-site generators.

The PLM program is part of a Coordinated Energy Demand Reduction Initiative (CEDRI) under the direction of Governor George E. Pataki to ensure that New York State has sufficient generating capacity to meet demand requirements during those days of the summer when the electricity system is put to its most rigorous test.