Power Down to Preserve Energy

None by KCPW

State Launches Conservation Alert System

(KCPW News) Just in time for the hottest days of summer, state energy officials have launched a conservation campaign urging Utahns to turn up their thermostats and switch off their lights. The PowerForward program uses a system of red, yellow and green warnings to alert people to power shortages.

Department of Environmental Quality Executive Director Dianne Nielson says people should turn up the thermostat to 85 degrees when away from home and consider keeping it at 78 or higher while in the home.

On "red days" Nielson says people should use fans and keep blinds closed to conserve cooler temperatures in the house and avoid using major appliances like dryers and dishwashers until after 8 p.m. "Simple steps can make a big dent in your power bill - and the state's overall energy consumption," says Nielson.

 

More than half of Utah's residential electricity is spent on air conditioning units and refrigerators. Governor Huntsman has issued an executive order calling on all state employees and agencies to follow strict power conservation practices, including registering for the PowerForward email alerts. More information is online at www.powerfoward.utah.gov.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2009 KCPW