For the second day in a row, PPL Electric Utilities customers set a record for electricity use Tuesday (7/18), based on preliminary figures.
Between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., customers used an estimated 7,299 megawatt-hours of electricity, breaking the record of 7,290 megawatt-hours set Monday (7/17).
Prior to this week's hot spell, PPL Electric Utilities' previous summer record was 7,035 megawatt-hours, set July 26, 2005, and the all-time record was 7,274 megawatt-hours, set Dec. 20, 2004.
"We continue to see demand for electricity surge as customers look to beat the heat with air conditioners and fans," said Dave Schleicher, director of engineering and design for PPL Electric Utilities.
"The heavy demand, high heat and humidity have not affected our ability to deliver reliable service to customers," he said. "We prepare year-round for times like these, and we know customers count on us to stay cool."
PJM Interconnection, which coordinates electric generation and the high-voltage electric power system in 13 states and the District of Columbia, has reported that it has sufficient electric generation and reserves to meet the high demand currently experienced in the region.
Schleicher said customers who want to conserve electricity during the extreme heat can:
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Turn off televisions, computers and other appliances when not in use.
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Postpone activities that require hot water until late evening or early morning hours.
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Close curtains, blinds or shutters to keep out the daytime sun.
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Turn on ceiling fans and raise the thermostat a few degrees.
Above all, Schleicher said, customers should stay safe and put their health first when making decisions about their energy use.
PPL Electric Utilities Corporation, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation that provides electricity delivery services to about 1.4 million customers in Pennsylvania, has consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. Headquartered in Allentown, Pa., PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) controls about 11,500 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States, sells energy in key U.S. markets and delivers electricity to more than 5 million customers in Pennsylvania, the United Kingdom and Latin America. More information is available at www.pplweb.com.