Forecast Remains in Triple Digits, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives Encourage Energy Conservation

Raleigh, N.C. —Friday’s weather forecast shows temperatures climbing into the triple digits for the third consecutive day, which will continue to drive electricity demand.

“We are meeting unprecedented demand,” said Jane Pritchard, director of corporate communications for North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation (NCEMC). “The need for increased electricity caused by the heat wave has put a lot of strain on our system, but population growth is another factor contributing to the stress,” Pritchard continued.

Many of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have experienced significant population growth in recent years. This growth, coupled with a rise in electronically charged devices and more commonplace central air conditioning units, has placed a lot of demand on the electric infrastructure system. To maintain high reliability standards, cooperatives continue to upgrade infrastructure and build new facilities. Events such as this week’s heat wave make the need for new facilities more apparent than ever.

Electric cooperative consumers are encouraged to do whatever they can to conserve energy, and the state’s cooperatives are grateful for the help and support they have received from members in the last two days. You can help reduce energy demand by turning off or adjusting the following:

  • Unnecessary lights
  • Stereos, VCRs/DVD players, televisions (use a battery-powered radio to get information)
  • Electric range and oven
  • Dishwashers, washing machines and dryers (postpone use until heat wave is over)
  • Personal computers
  • Air conditioners (turn them off, or raise your thermostat to the highest comfortable setting)

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives provide energy to 2.5 million people in 93 of 100 counties, primarily in rural parts of the state. The electric cooperatives own and maintain 95,000 miles of power lines, by far the most of any electric utility in North Carolina.

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