Californians cut power use in July

California used 5 percent less electricity in July than in July 2000, according to figures released today by the California Energy Commission.

In the peak-use period of afternoons through early evening, consumption was down 11 percent on a year-to-year comparison, it said.

"Californians are conserving like gangbusters," Gov. Gray Davis said. "But this is no time for complacency. The dog days of August will test our resolve."

The figures are adjusted for weather and economic growth, the commission said. Actual metered electricity load during peak times declined by 7 percent, or more than 3,000 megawatts, it said.

The July conservation numbers are just half of the conservation achieved in June. Longer days and milder temperatures may be contributing factors to the difference between the overall energy savings in June and July, the governor's office suggests.

In July 2000, California had eight high-demand days, with electricity use exceeding 40,000 megawatts. That resulted in six emergency days called by the California Independent System Operator (Cal-ISO). In July 2001, with temperatures similar to last year, the state had only two days where demand exceeded 40,000 megawatts. On each of those days Cal-ISO called for energy emergencies. Cal-ISO has identified the 40,000-megawatt threshold as a critical level of demand.

http://eastbay.bcentral.com/eastbay/stories/2001/07/30/daily36.html

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), August 02, 2001