For the fourth consecutive year, the Utah Energy Office and the state's
electrical utilities are teaming up to issue daily advisories on the status of
the power grid Utahns rely on to run their air conditioners, refrigerators and
TV sets. The PowerForward program will run through Sept. 15. It will advise Utahns of
the days when they need to be particularly mindful of conserving electricity,
said Lisa Yoder, Utah Energy Office program manager. On days when electricity usage is particularly high due to soaring
temperatures, the Utah Energy Office will issue either a "yellow" or a
"red" alert that asks Utahns to conserve power and help prevent
brownouts. On days when Utahns need not worry about their electricity
consumption, the state will issue a "green" alert. Yoder pointed out that last year -- the hottest summer on record -- there
were only five yellow alert days. "We have yet to issue a red alert during
the four years of the PowerForward program." PacifiCorp spokeswoman Margaret Kessler said the program's goal is to help
lower the demand for power during the peak hours between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.. When a yellow alert is issued, consumers can help by using barbecues and
grills instead of electric ranges. They can set the thermostats in their homes
higher and hold off running their dishwashers and washing machines until late in
the evening, Kessler said. "It is a good program," said Ted Rampton, vice president of
government affairs for the 45-member Utah Associated Municipal Power System, or
UAMPS. "Most of the time, Utahns will not have to take any steps beyond their
normal conservation efforts. But there are some days when it's beneficial for
the public to act in a collective way to ease the burden on the system." Utahns can sign up for a daily PowerForward e-mail alert from the Utah Energy
Office at www.powerforward.ut- ah.gov.
In addition, the alerts are part of the daily radio and television weather
broadcasts.