Responding to a request from the PJM Interconnection, PPL Electric Utilities is asking its customers to use only the electricity they need, and has reduced voltage by 5 percent Wednesday afternoon (7/27) in some of the areas it serves.

The voltage reduction affects the Lehigh Valley, Bucks and Montgomery counties and the Poconos. Rain in the western part of the area served by PPL Electric Utilities has resulted in lower electricity use there.

Voltage is a measure of the force of electric current flowing through a wire. A voltage reduction slightly reduces energy use by appliances. Such reductions generally are undetectable to consumers.

"Reliability is the highest priority of electric utilities and independent system operators such as PJM," said David G. Cole, general manager of Asset Management for PPL Electric Utilities. "A voltage reduction is one of the actions PJM may request to preserve reliability during times of high electricity use."

PJM, which operates the high-voltage electric power system serving 51 million people in 13 states and the District of Columbia, said the continuing high use of electricity because of the hot weather has required the voltage reductions. It has called for voltage reductions as a precaution to preserve reliability of the high-voltage electric delivery system. PJM believes that measure is sufficient to maintain reliability.

Also to help maintain reliable service, PPL Electric Utilities – at the request of PJM – asked a group of industrial customers with special rate contracts to reduce electricity use this afternoon. These customers are able to buy electricity throughout the year at a lower price than the company's standard industrial rates in exchange for agreeing to cut back on their use temporarily when needed to preserve reliable service.

PPL Electric Utilities also is asking customers to be aware of how much electricity they are using, especially until 7 p.m. On summer days, electricity use is greatest during the afternoon hours.

Simple ways customers can conserve electricity include shifting the use of major appliances such as washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers and electric stoves, to early morning or evening hours. Other measures customers could take to save electricity include blocking out daytime sun with drapes and shades to help keep the home cool, and turning off the television, radio and stereo when they aren't being used.

"Following these guidelines can help avoid possible power shortages, but the primary concern of our customers should be their own health and safety," Cole said. "Customers should use the electricity they need to avoid the adverse effects of the heat."