Residents should conserve energy to prevent power outages

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- Southern California Edison is asking customers to

conserve energy, warning that its operating reserves are at less than 5%

because of businesses and residents trying to stay cool in the soaring

summer temperatures.

“Air conditioners present a large load of the problem -- about 25%,”

said Donna Boston, Newport Beach’s emergency services coordinator. “I

guess that would mean should the demand increase even further, they would

have to institute blackout.”

Boston, however, was quick to point out that Edison has never had a

blackout.

However, increased use of electricity could lead to both businesses

and residents being forced to shoulder higher bills, and, more

importantly, could compromise public safety.

“Any time you have power go down, you’re going to lose your stop

lights and that creates an avenue for people to have accidents,” Boston

said. “Traffic issues create a problem in trying to respond to accidents

and other issues like a cardiac arrest. People get stuck in elevators as

well.”

In light of this, the fire department is reminding the community to

conserve electricity and shift usage to off-peak periods in the mornings

and night, when demand for electricity is lower.

Other energy conservation tips include: limiting the use of major

appliances, closing drapes to keep direct sunlight out and installing

surge protectors.