May 20, 2002—A California Energy Commission report indicates that Californians should have adequate supplies of electricity this summer as long as consumers continue to use energy efficiently.
Electricity demand levels in 2002 will depend heavily on the extent that consumers continue their 2001 conservation patterns, according to the Energy Commission’s forecast. While California is not expected to achieve the same levels of energy efficiency accomplished last year when consumers saved as much as 5,570 megawatts during the peak usage day, the forecast relies on a significant increase in conservation over 2000 levels. Since air conditioners use approximately 30 percent of the state’s total electricity consumption during peak summer hours, electricity use can increase significantly on hotter days.
For more information, contact the California Energy Commission.
