Uniondale, NY - July 20, 2015 - PSEG Long Island continues to have enough electric capacity to meet customer demand for today’s high temperatures and high humidity. While there are no capacity concerns, PSEG Long Island is activating its voluntary Thermostat Energy Conservation Program to reduce loading on the system, helping to create savings for customers.

“Implementing the voluntary program today will potentially reduce load requirements by lowering the peak demand on one of the hottest days,” said Michael Voltz, director of energy efficiency and renewable energy for PSEG Long Island. “This will help generate savings for customers in the future.”

PSEG Long Island’s thermostat program saves participants money this year and potentially lowers customers’ bills next summer. PSEG Long Island’s load forecasts and state-mandated capacity requirements are based on peak-usage levels from previous years. By reducing peak usage this year, it lowers the amount of power to be purchased in advance for next summer.

Approximately 30,000 customers who have elected to participate in this program will experience on- and off-cycling of their central air conditioning systems between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., for 30 minutes at a time. Air conditioner fans will operate continuously to circulate cool air.

The conservation program was last activated on September 2, 2014, resulting in about 29.6 MW of reduction in peak demand and $1.1 million in capacity savings for 2015. Assuming the same peak demand reduction from today’s curtailment, the projected capacity savings for 2016 is $2 million. Activation also allows PSEG Long Island to fully assess the program’s capability to reduce demand in cases of emergency need to help maintain reliability.

To limit the impact of hot weather and better manage electric usage, PSEG Long Island recommends the following tips for customers:

• Put air conditioners on timers and don't let them run when not at home
• Set air conditioners at 78 degrees or higher if health allows
• Use fans to circulate cool air, which helps cut air conditioner use
• Make sure you have replaced filters and that A/C coils are clean
• Set refrigerators and freezers at most efficient temperatures
• Run major appliances such as washers, dryers, dishwashers, and pool pumps in the morning or late evening to avoid peak demand hours of 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

High temperatures and high electric demand can sometimes cause scattered heat-related outages. PSEG Long Island has significant resources available and will address outages as quickly and safely as possible. Customers who experience an outage should call 1-800- 490-0075.

If you have any questions, please call PSEG Long Island’s Thermostat Program Infoline at 1-866-547-2334 or PSEG Long Island’s Energy Efficiency Infoline at 1-800-692-2626." For more information on the program, visit here.