NEWS RELEASE FROM DUKE ENERGY
"PJM, the regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in Duke Energy’s Ohio and Kentucky service territories, has alerted its member utilities that Midwest power supplies are tight due to extremely cold temperatures and increased energy use. They have asked for voluntary energy conservation from their member utilities, including Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky, during this extreme weather.
Duke Energy is therefore asking its customers in Ohio and Kentucky to voluntarily reduce usage of all non-essential electricity until 10 a.m. Christmas Day. This will help PJM member utilities to continue delivering reliable service during this period of significantly low temperatures across the region.
Some basic energy conservation steps customers can take:
- If it doesn’t interfere with health or safety, lower your thermostat.
- Manage water heating. Set your water heater to 120 degrees or less.
- Please try to limit the use of your washer, dryer and dishwasher. However, if you must use these appliances run full loads of laundry and dishes. It's important to run full loads to take advantage of the hot water already being used.
- Unplug standing appliances. Any appliances you leave plugged in, like phone chargers or razors, use energy even when they’re not in use.
- Turn off lights when you leave the room.
“We sincerely appreciate the cooperation and patience of our customers, who can help ensure the stability and reliability of the system for all by taking these steps,” said Tim Abbott, Duke Energy Midwest general manager of System Operations. “Public conservation can make a difference, and every little bit counts.”
In the event that additional measures are necessary, Duke Energy would begin emergency temporary interruptions of service to customers to extend available power generation and help maintain operations until additional power is available. These outages would be temporary and rotated among customers and would continue until additional electricity is available and normal operation of the power grid resumes.
Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky
Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides electric service to 880,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in a 3,000-square-mile service area, and natural gas service to 550,000 customers in a 2,650-square-mile service area, in Ohio and Kentucky.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 28,000 people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business and at least a 50% carbon reduction from electric generation by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The 2050 net-zero goals also include Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 emissions. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2022 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and Forbes’ “America’s Best Employers” list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook."