Voluntary curtailments
will minimize the need for mandatory rolling
blackouts.
Local weather forecasts
show temperatures rising to 100 degrees next week, increasing the likelihood of
blackouts, lasting about four hours, in Arlington, Lakeland and surrounding
areas served by Substation 68, which is under repair. Customers in these areas
must voluntarily curtail their power usage during the peak hours of 3 p.m. to
8:30 p.m.in order to reduce the need for mandatory
blackouts.
“It’s an unprecedented situation,” said MLGW
President and CEO Jerry R. Collins, Jr. about blackouts, which have not occurred
in recent MLGW history. “The magnitude of the damage suffered by Substation 68
(on July 11) is unlike anything the utility has seen in the last 30 years.
Voluntary curtailment is necessary to help manage power loads in these areas,
especially on the hot days ahead.”
The concern is that typically high summer
loads could further damage the electric distribution system, which is why
voluntary curtailment is also viewed as a protection measure. MLGW will try to
notify customers in advance of a blackout during peak hours by phone, although
advanced notice may not always be possible. Customers in Arlington, Lakeland and
areas served by Substation 68 are advised to be
prepared.
To curtail usage, residential customers, for
instance, can simply unplug as many devices as possible when away from home.
Unplugging also protects appliances from low voltage issues that have occurred
in Arlington and Lakeland since July 11. Affected customers can delay drying
clothes until after 8:30 p.m.; increase the temperature settings on thermostats
to 80 degrees or higher; and run swimming pool pumps overnight instead of during
the day among other energy-reduction measures. Commercial and industrial
customers are also curtailing usage.
Substation 68, located at 10600 Highway 70,
serves more than 6,800 customers and is under repair for the next six months due
to an equipment failure on July 11. Voltage issues are expected to be resolved
before substation repairs are completed.
Customers experiencing low voltage issues
related to Substation 68 should contact:
Customer Care Center for Residential
Customers at 544-6549
Business Solutions Center for Commercial and
Industrial Customers at 528-4270
4 comments:
If you are "nearby" but not in Arlington or Lakeland, how can you know if you are in the affected area??
Arlington and Lakeland areas will expect to have their bill prorated for these power outage times. MLGW needs to get plans in place.
Arlington and Lakeland areas will expect to have their bill prorated for these power outage times. MLGW needs to get plans in place.
Agree with Glenda. MLGW needs to post map of area affected. Help us help you, MLGW.
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