Kentucky's electric utilities are meeting demand for power

Contact:  Andrew Melnykovych 502-564-3940

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 18, 2006) – Kentucky’s electric utilities report they are having no trouble meeting the high demand for power created by the hot and humid weather that has settled over the state, the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) says.

However, to help reduce the demand for power so that it does not exceed the utilities' ability to provide it, the PSC is encouraging consumers to conserve energy and, at the same time, lower their utility bills.

“The utilities that we regulate have told us they anticipate no problems in generating enough power to meet demand or in transmitting that power to where it is needed,” PSC Chairman Mark David Goss said.  “But energy conservation is always a good idea for consumers and can be helpful to utilities at times of very high demand.”

A heat wave over much of the nation has led to record-high electric demand this week in several states, including California, Texas and New York. With temperatures in Kentucky expected to be near 100 degrees in the next two days, electric usage in the state could also reach record levels.

“Because this kind of weather is not that unusual for Kentucky in July, our utilities are prepared for it,” PSC Vice Chairman Teresa Hill said. “Consumers also should be prepared for summer heat by knowing what they can do to reduce electric usage.”

PSC Commissioner Greg Coker noted that simple measures can make a big difference in energy consumption.

“Set your thermostat at 78 degrees in the summer,” he said. “Every degree below that increases your air conditioning bill by as much as 8 percent.”

Other easy conservation measures include turning off lights, televisions and home computers when they are not in use, Coker said. Closing blinds during the day can lower air conditioner usage, he added.

More energy conservation tips are available on the Web from the Kentucky Office of Energy Policy at http://energy.ky.gov/dre3/tips/tips.htm.

The PSC is an agency within the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet. It regulates more than 1,500 gas, water, sewer, electric and telecommunication utilities operating in the commonwealth of Kentucky and has approximately 110 employees.