Tuesday, July 10, 2007

TVA Implores Customers To Conserve Electricity

   Drought conditions that have prevailed throughout the region have prompted officials with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to issue a plea for customers in its seven-state territory to conserve electricity.

   TVA issued the appeal last week, requesting that its 8.6 million consumers be “prudent in their use of electricity over the next few days.” They request that residents and businesses turn up thermostats and turn off unnecessary electrical devices.

   The concern lies in the area of too little rainfall. The record low rainfall has resulted in lower water levels. This caused TVA to shift into “conservation mode” in early winter.

   With the drought continuing, the authority is finding it difficult to keep river reservoirs full. As a result, drastic cuts in hydroelectric production have been implemented. At the current time, officials report that hydroelectric production is down by approximately 50%. This has forced TVA to purchase electricity from other, more expensive sources.

   As one might conclude, increased costs are expected to be passed on to consumers by as early as October 1.

   As a result of the situation, TVA has initiated a campaign to curb electrical consumption during peak hours. Officials are asking all TVA customers to set their thermostats a couple of degrees warmer, and to reduce usage between the hours of 2 and 8 p.m. This is the time of day when demand is usually at its peak, and the most outsourced electricity is purchased. The more costs are held down for TVA, officials point out, the less costs will be passed along to consumers.

   A press release issued through TVA indicates that last week’s showers were expected to cause no notable change in the water shortage. The rains, they pointed out, were not significant enough to raise water levels in TVA reservoirs. Officials indicated it would take several sustained, soaking rains to have a significant impact on reservoir levels.

The National Weather Service indicates that most counties in the area remain around 19 inches below normal rainfall for the year, with approximately12 inches of rain having fallen in the area since January 1.

   Yet another complication resulting from the drought conditions – boaters are being cautioned to use care when boating on area lakes. Officials explain that hazards such as stumps and rocks could be exposed by the lowered water levels.

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