OUC JOINS
CALLS FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION
Statewide
Generating Capacity Advisory Issued Due to Hurricane
Rita
ORLANDO -
OUC—The Reliable One
is encouraging customers to use energy wisely in anticipation of more impacts
from Hurricane Rita on oil and natural gas facilities in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Florida Reliability
Coordinating Council (www.frcc.com)
already has issued a “Generating Capacity Advisory” through at least Sept. 25
due to the shutting down of natural gas production rigs in the Gulf of Mexico.
Although OUC has enough fuel to meet generating needs, it is as a precaution
that customers are being asked to conserve energy when possible.
“OUC has the generating capacity to meet our
customer needs,” said Ken Ksionek, OUC General Manager and CEO. ”As we did after
Hurricane Katrina, we are encouraging our customers to voluntarily conserve
electricity until Hurricane Rita’s impact is assessed.”
The fuel
uncertainty caused by Hurricane Rita affects Florida as well as many other
states and utilities. By conserving energy, OUC customers can help our community
manage this situation.
To help
conserve, especially in the late afternoon and early evening, OUC recommends:
-
Setting
your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher, although some customers may need to
keep the temperature a little cooler.
-
Keeping
your central A/C unit on auto. If you will be away from home for more than
four hours, turn off the unit completely or set it to 85 degrees.
-
Using
shades, drapes and blinds to keep the sun and heat out.
-
Using
ceiling fans to feel cooler, but turning them off when you leave the room.
-
Setting
pool pumps not to operate during late afternoon and evening hours.
-
Washing and
rinsing your clothes in cold water.
For more tips on how to save
energy throughout the year, visit
www.ouc.com.
Established in 1923 by a special act of the Florida Legislature, OUC—The
Reliable One is the second largest municipal utility in Florida. OUC provides
electric and water services to more than 196,000 customers in Orlando, St. Cloud
and parts of unincorporated Orange and Osceola counties. |
