Tuesday, June 27, 2000 Midday Report

Reports from staff writers and The Associated Press )Copyright 2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcoast, rewritten, or redistributed.

MANCHESTER, N.H.  Outages at two New Hampshire power plants helped prompt a conservation warning Tuesday in Maine and other regional states.

ISO New England, which manages the region's power supply, said Tuesday morning that high temperatures and humidity could strain the system later in the day. It urged residents and businesses to turn off unnecessary lights and appliances, do laundry in the evening and run air conditioners as little as possible.

Two power plants in New Hampshire, the Seabrook nuclear plant and Newington Station, shut down Monday because of mechanical problems, according to Public Service Company of New Hampshire. Together, they account for about 6 percent of New England's 25,000-megawatt generating capacity.

Central Maine Power Co. spokesman Mark Ishkanian said that if customers help conserve energy, ''it will help CMP and other utilities better manage the power situation and continue to provide uninterrupted service.''

If the power load continues to strain generation capacity, New England utilities may be forced to reduce voltage or take other measures to safeguard the region's electricity system, Ishkanian said.

http://www.portland.com/news/local/000627midday.shtml

-- Doris (reaper1@mindspring.com), June 27, 2000