WA governor urges people to Turn Off Lights, Turn Down Heat

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Turn Off Lights, Turn Down Heat, Locke Urges December 8, 2000 By KOMO Staff

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke is calling for Washington residents to voluntarily turn off lights and turn down heat to preserve electricity during the cold snap headed our way.

Locke says the "Level Two emergency" is a warning, not a real emergency. But power is short in the Northwest because of the shortage in California, which usually is a supplier this time of year.

For example, spokeswoman Dana Middleton says:

Don't turn on Christmas lights until 8 o'clock at night, after the peak-use period, and turn them off before going to bed. Turn off room lights when you're not in the room. Turn off computers when they're not in use. Set a room temperature at 68 degrees when home, 60 at night and 55 when no one is home. Use microwave ovens instead of electric stoves. Run dishwashers before bed instead of during peak periods. Turn down water heater thermostats. Use one appliance at a time. A big draw on electricity is expected to hit this weekend as Arctic air pushes into the Northwest.

Locke said the Capitol dome lights have been turned off and that the Capitol Christmas lights will be on only during off-peak hours.

"It's important to use as little electricity as possible during peak hours, which are from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 4 to 8 p.m.," Locke said.

http://www.komotv.com/news/story.asp?ID=8174

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), December 08, 2000


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