Electric companies preparing for possible power outages due to extreme heat
Friday’s high temperatures mean many people will be cranking up the air conditioning, so Duquesne Light is preparing for possible stress on the grid and resulting power outages.
“From our perspective, we make sure all the lines, the poles, the underground infrastructure, we inspect it regularly and we make sure it can handle the peak voltage times,” said Hollie Geitner, Duquesne Light director of communications and brand.
The company says they will staff extra crews throughout the day to safely address any outages as quickly as possible.
“If you have lights and televisions on in a room that you aren’t really using, turn them off,” said Geitner, who added it’s a great day to cook outside.
PJM, the grid that supplies power to Pennsylvania, posted the following on its website.
“A dedicated team of operators uses sophisticated technology to balance supply and demand and direct the power grid 24/7 from PJM’s control rooms.”
There are a few things you can do ahead of time to prepare, including having ice ready for cooling packs and keeping cell phones charged.
West Penn Power suggests unplugging unnecessary devices and avoiding using heat-producing appliances to stay cool while saving money on your energy bill.
If your power does go out, avoid opening the freezer and refrigerator. Food will stay frozen in a fully loaded freezer for up to 48 hours.
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