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De Blasio And Con Ed Ask 96,000 Customers In Brooklyn To Reduce Electricity On Another Scorching Summer Day
By
David Cruz
Published Jul 30, 2020
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By
David Cruz
Published Jul 30, 2020
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After numerous consecutive days of intense heat, Con Edison is asking 96,000 of its customers in the southwestern part of Brooklyn to scale back their use of air conditioning and other large appliances today.
The utility company said it's reducing electricity supply by 8% as a way to prevent the system from overloading, while also repairing electrical cables that are currently down in that portion of the borough.
Residents living in Borough Park, Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Gowanus, Fort Hamilton, Park Slope, and Dyker Heights are being asked to cut back today, as temperatures will once again top 90 degrees in NYC, with the heat index expected to reach 95. (Forecasters say the heat wave will break tomorrow, with highs falling into the 70s and 80s for the next few days.)
Despite Con Edison mentioning that the equipment issues "have no effect on the rest of the Con Edison system," Mayor Bill de Blasio said at his morning news conference that individual conservation would protect "our electricity supply for all New Yorkers."
He also urged residents of specific Brooklyn neighborhoods to comply with Con Ed's request.
"Your electric supply is in danger right now," said de Blasio. "Please take this warning seriously."
The neighborhoods of Windsor Terrace, Kensington, Flatbush, and Bensonhurst will also be impacted by the reduced voltage despite no equipment issues in those neighborhoods.
"If you have two air conditioners, use only one and set it to the highest comfortable temperature," said Con Ed in a release. They're also asking customers to reconsider using washers, dryers, and microwaves to conserve energy.
Similar calls for energy conservation by Con Edison were made in Bronx last week as another heat wave threatened the supply, and an estimated 2,500 Con Ed customers in the borough lost power.
Since the city has begun reopening, pools, beaches, and cooling centers have been made available to keeping cool, though their locations are too far for at least a third of New York City's senior citizens to easily utilize.
Anyone can report an outage by calling 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633) or on www.conEd.com/reportoutage.
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heat wave
David Cruz
David is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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