Friday, August 10, 2007
Aug. 9, 2007 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) --
Duke Energy Corp. set a record Wednesday for power output as it pushed the limits of its system amid record heat, underscoring the need for more conservation, the company said.
Duke was cranking out 18,988 megawatts at 4 p.m. Wednesday, a high demand time of the day when residents are arriving home from work and turning up air conditioners and turning on appliances.
The previous high was 18,687 megawatts on July 27, 2005.
Duke's system, when completely healthy, can put out about 21,000 megawatts. But the company tries to plan for a 17 percent operating cushion.
The Charlotte-based utility has been criticized for wanting to build new large-scale power plants that would pollute and cost billions when rather than pushing aggressively for conservation to reduce demand.
In response, Duke announced a new conservation program called save-a-watt that would allow it to charge customers for programs designed to save energy. It needs approval from state regulators.
The company plans to build a $2.4 billion coal-fired power unit in the Blue Ridge foothills and a $6 billion nuclear plant in Cherokee County, S.C.
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