 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Schwarzenegger orders California electricity cutbacks
Los Angeles (AFP) Jul 24, 2006 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger ordered California state offices to cut electricity usage by 25 percent on Monday, the third day of a heat wave that may drive power consumption to a record level. "A dangerous heat wave with record-breaking temperatures in California and other parts of the Western United States continues to tax the electricity system to the limits of its capacity," Schwarzenegger said. He ordered all state offices to reduce electricity usage during peak periods "by at least 25 percent." The most-populous US state was put on a stage-two alert shortly after midday Monday as temperatures hit 35 degrees C (95 F) in the Los Angeles region, one day after soaring to 40 degrees C (104 degrees F). Officials fear power demand will hit 52,000 megawatts around 4:00 pm (2300 GMT), the peak hour for use of air conditioners. A stage two alert reduces power supply to shops and businesses whose management had given prior approval. Stage one, which asks customers to cut their usage, was announced at 10:00 am (1700 GMT) said Kristina Osbourne, spokeswoman for the California Independent System Operator. If stage two falls short in conserving power, stage three mandates rolling blackouts. Asked Monday whether a stage three was likely, Osbourne said: "It is possible today." California's prior record was toppled Friday, with a demand of 49,036 megawatts as air conditioners were pumped up statewide to beat the heat. On Sunday, more than 50,000 homes and businesses in the Los Angeles region suffered cuts when the grid failed under the intense heat in parts of the megalopolis. Californians well remember the 2001 electricity crisis during a heat wave, which resulted in cuts in service as well as sky-high prices exacerbated by power company manipulation. The result was rolling blackouts and a state of emergency. The outage worsened the state's budget crisis and perceived mismanagement of the crisis led to the recall of then-governor Gray Davis and his replacement by Schwarzenegger. New York City on Monday announced that it was near to restoring power to some 25,000 customers a week after a blackout in Queens amid high temperatures and demand. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Dirt, rocks and all the stuff we stand on firmly
Lagos' bustling computer market promises to clean up its act
Lagos (AFP) Jul 24, 2006 A bustling computer market in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital, on Monday was allowed to stay in business after pledging to dispose of its dangerous waste properly, traders and officials said. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
