The INDsider -> The Independent Staff THU, JUN 25 6:41AM by IND Monthly Staff

Power providers warn of mandatory blackouts

In a rare joint press release, SLEMCO and Lafayette Utilities System today warned customers to conserve electricity or face the consequences: “emergency controlled power outages to protect the transmission system from long-term damage.”

With record high temperatures, Acadiana’s electrical infrastructure is being maxed out, and according to the press release the high usage is “causing constraints on the transmission lines.” According to the providers, one scenario for controlling usage would be to interrupt electrical service for 30 minutes in affected areas as “a last resort.”

Tips to control usage, according to SLEMCO and LUS:

•    Customers who need air conditioning should set the thermostat to 80 degrees or higher
•    If possible, customers should use fans instead of air conditioners
•    Don’t use major appliances, such as electric dryers, ranges, washing machines and dehumidifiers — if necessary, shift their use to night-time hours
•    Close blinds, drapes and curtains during the heat of the day
•    Turn off unnecessary lights and refrain from using computers

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written by give me a break , June 25, 2009 - 05:50 pm

why should we not be able to use the a/c??
is it a mystery that it is hot in Louisiana?
is it a surprise that we want to use electricity when it is hot?
why can't they ever plan for these things?
it is the same thing every year with the water.
i don't understand why their systems are built to accommodate only low usage. they should accommodate USUAL usage. hello?

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written by Agreed , June 25, 2009 - 06:19 pm

This is quite unbelievable that these providers are not up to the task of serving us.

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written by seriously , June 25, 2009 - 06:28 pm

so I should just shut down my business and call it a day? not likely

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written by why are you shocked? , June 25, 2009 - 06:46 pm

You know how Louisiana government operates. These power lines where probably put in during Huey Long's administration. They have to make there profits infrastructure investment is a method of last resort and only if there kid brother can run it. If you don't like it. Put the heat on them.

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written by Mary Tutwiler , June 25, 2009 - 07:09 pm

Here is some info from the Times-Picayune on managing extreme heat:

-- Avoid strenuous activity. If such activity is necessary, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m.

-- Stay indoors as much as possible. If air conditioning is unavailable, stay on the lowest floor, out of direct sunlight. Try to go to a public building with air conditioning each day for several hours.

-- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.

-- Drink plenty of water regularly and often. Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies.

-- Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein, which increase metabolic heat.

-- Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a doctor.

-- Make sure pets get plenty of water. Officials also warn that car interiors can heat up to 140 degrees in conditions like those being experienced in the city, and children and pets should not be left in them unattended.

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written by PlumpyBoy , June 25, 2009 - 07:32 pm

RIP OFF !..These utilities are not living up to their service...I pay for electric service..It' up to the utility to provide that service..It's not my responsiblity to keep their grid system stable..Obviously Slemco and Durel's electric company (LUS) have not invested in their transmission system.. I guess Durel's fiber network has top priority ...Too Bad...I'm not making any changes in my electric usages ...My fat beautiful body need's cooling ..My thermostat set on 75 degrees all year long...

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written by Dissenter , June 25, 2009 - 07:41 pm

It's exactly the selfish attitude expressed by the first three commenters to this post that we have to fear during natural disasters. I would also speculate that these folks can't understand the science that proves climate change, and how one degree average change produces fluctuations far beyond that.

In any system, slight changes produce massive impacts. If 3-5 degrees heat increase results in A/C units not cycling on and off from 50% of the time, to staying on 100% of the time, then wouldn't that overload an electrical grid? It is not 3-5% more electricity, but 100% more electrical demand.

Our grids ARE made for USUAL usage. This is not usual usage we are seeing now. Sure we've grown, and we known the municipal and member co-op is trying to keep up with that growth.

Also readers here, should not forget that Louisiana is one of the largest consuming states of electricity, not because it is hotter here, but because we have one of the most energy consumptive industrial bases in the entire united states.

I'm sure if the readers were to shadow our utility directors for a few days, they would begin to see the data and comprehend this.

So what we're being asked to do is to SUCK it up, and deal with a slight bit of discomfort, not massive discomfort, just a slight amount.

If our systems had to be designed (roads included) for UNUSUAL events, we would be saddled with vastly increased costs, and the physical/environmental results would be less than desirable.

Also, to close, the commentors are evidence of a disconnection from historical reality. In the old days, people worked at the crack of dawn, and called it a day during mid-day. No one would work then. They'd wait until things cooled off after 3-4pm, and work into the dusk.
This modern inflexibility in insensical, and is the byproduct of too much indoor work and their accompanied 8-5 schedules.

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written by ROFLMAO , June 25, 2009 - 09:05 pm

Dissenter = Slemco/LUS executive or PR person.

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written by ROFLMAO , June 25, 2009 - 09:07 pm

"Customers who need air conditioning"

Um, that would be EVERYONE in Acadiana, dimwits. Who doesn't need AC in the DEEP SOUTH? ROFLMAO

"should set the thermostat to 80 degrees or higher"

Tell that to the elderly or people who don't want to show up at work smelling like a pigsty.

Serious idiots running these companies.

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written by Tony , June 25, 2009 - 09:30 pm

What a bunch of puddin's. Quit whining. Just shut up and quit wasting so much electricity.

Geez. Times is hard. Times is real hard ...

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written by CitizenJayne , June 26, 2009 - 12:41 am

I have lived in south Louisiana all my life, and spent most of my time in Lafayette. It's ALWAYS been hot. I'm so glad our local leaders now find it more prudent to invest in a fiber optic system than upgrade the current electrical system. LUS says they'll install fiber in the name of competition; I want to know what other company I can get electrical services from!!!

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written by Voodoo Science , June 26, 2009 - 02:36 am

I commented on this previously, if terry huval and company had done the intelligent & responsible thing, they would have invested in Smart Grid Technologies like most of the progressive utility companies here and in Europe. Instead they are out trying to make fiber work(sic). Great job Joey and company, they deserve the big raises the chiefs got. Fiber will do lots of good when the appliances are turned off.

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written by citizen kane , June 26, 2009 - 05:11 am

Immediate Notice to LUS and Slemco:

Due to the failure of your companies to properly prepare, I will be "Blacking Out" a some of my payments to you.

To earn my money, according to ME:

* Fire the lazy idiots who haven't properly planned for these conditions.

* Don't hire more idiots in their place.

* Spend some of that lovely profit you are making on upgrading your systems (you know, like instead of just stuffing your stockholders fat wallets).

PS: Mary: -- Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein, which increase metabolic heat.

Are you kidding? If that statement was printed in the Times-Picayune and directed towards Louisianians (especially those from New Orleans) then it can only be sarcasm. You're speaking a foreign language there.

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written by dissenter , June 26, 2009 - 06:09 am

ROFLMAO has no idea.

I find it even funnier the people on these posting boards who maintain the audacious thought Durel is some kind of evil incompetent big government liberal. I mean, if you want to see liberal...I'd suggest Robert Moses (who wasn't even elected or accountable), Ed Koch, Rudy Giuliani, Richard M. Daley, hell maybe even deLesseps Morrison!

I too think the traffic cameras are noxious to a free society, but this here is a free society where people step up and help each other out. For christ sake, the state and feds have even enabled all of you to invest in solar electric panels, solar water heating, high efficiency instant gas hot water heating, reflective radiant barriers, window films, etc. all at refundable tax credits to you the homeowner, the building owner and you the business owner, to the extent of 80% full payback on these solar water and energy systems.

Again, suck it up and be the change. Gandhi didn't just bitch about the English, he actually did something and inspired people to sacrifice of themselves. Iranians are trying their damndest to liberate themselves. All these places are ferouciously hot, as much as it is here, and yet here we are, complaining about having moist underarms. *sigh*

At some point, an inspiring leader will step up in this city, and this state, who's motivational leadership, consistent with his/her actions and results will move us all to stop being the tailpipe of America.
And the singular leader cannot effect all this change without a thoughtful reflective populace, and legislators/councilors who too, are more than just small time thinkers.
After all, haven't we been told in life, that great improvement happens when we're forced to change, that happens when we risk going broke or hot, or hungry for a day, or lose a job, forcing us to try something new, to take an unexpected risk?

Have fun Lafayette. Keep sweatin' the small stuff. No gumbo in July.

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written by JP , June 26, 2009 - 03:50 pm

Dissenter, you make excellent points. VoodooScience also makes a good point about how Louisiana has not been progressive in its energy issues. There's blame to go around, but we do have a lot of selfish muthas here who don't even entertain the thought of trying to reduce their electricity consumption in extreme times like this...nor do they want to try and understand the complexities of this problem. Just gimme mine and screw everyone else!

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written by give me a break , June 26, 2009 - 08:45 pm

blah blah blah.
there is a difference between being "selfish" and expecting your utility to be able to deliver utilities.
Anyone who pretends they don't know the difference is an igit.

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written by citizen kane , June 27, 2009 - 12:39 am

Baton Rouge and New Orleans isn't asking their customers to conserve power. Apparently their systems can handle the load... I imagine due to proper planning.

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written by Stray Cat , June 29, 2009 - 02:42 am

give me a break, igit? My buddy Babu went there [Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology (IGIT)]

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written by Travlena , June 29, 2009 - 03:49 pm

Some of the people on this page are just plain selfish! Of course we are going to use more power in the summer and there is a limit to how much power our utility companies can reasonably be expected to produce! For the person who said people will show up at work smelling if they turn their A/C thermometer up...that is not true!. At my home we have an electronic A/C control (available for less than $30 at Lowe's or Home Depot)that is set to automatically put the temp. up to 80 degrees in our house at 7:30am when we leave for work. The temp. stays at 80 until 4:30 when it drops to 78 and stays there until 8 pm when it drops down to 74 for the night. Since we aren't at home all day we aren't inconvenienced by the temp. in the house and it is not THAT bad when we get home! Not to mention the fact that our electricity bills are quite a bit lower ($103.00 last month for a 1500 square foot home). Some of you are so spoiled and selfish that you are willing to possibly cause blackouts for everyone because heaven forbid you be inconvenienced a little!! Some of you really need to grow up!

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written by Caitlin , June 29, 2009 - 07:37 pm

I don't understand why this seems like an unreasonable demand on people. People need to practice these things on a continuous basis, not just when we are one month into a drought and heat wave. Try turning up your AC a couple a degrees or use a ceiling fan instead. You'll save money on your electricity bill. Why complain about that?

Everyone in Lafayette is facing the same heat. We all want to stay cool, but we can't all keep our air conditioners at 70 and expect them to run 24 hours a day with no consequences. We aren't being forced to turn our air conditioners off; just adjusted so they don't run when it's not necessary. Like Traviena says, why do you need to run the air conditioner when no one's home? It's a waste of your money and a strain on our grid.

Ceiling fans and darker curtains really go a long way and I am not uncomfortable in my apartment in the slightest. It won't kill ANYONE to practice a little energy conservation, even us Cajuns. Get used to it.

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written by dissenter , June 30, 2009 - 01:38 am

Our ancestors are laughing at us for our porcine notions of comfort and luxury. They might have envied A/C, but they too had a sense of responsibility to their local environment. It wasn't until the out of state land hucksters and financiers came in and destroyed our local ecosystems that Cajuns and other local peoples began to be ignorant of their connection to the earth around them. The loss of language and identity sure added to the damage as well.

Let's hope we can practice in our daily lives, a willigness to reconnect with the countless generations of knowledge we threw away.

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written by The Bright Side , June 30, 2009 - 03:59 pm

To dissenter, yeah that's right, it's them darn out-of-state people, everyone should go back to where they came from, now!

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written by Steve P , July 14, 2009 - 06:26 pm

Hey I have an idea....let's all start driving electric cars!!!

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written by missykobe , July 14, 2009 - 06:44 pm

thanks dissenter.
now living in ascension parish, i'm from down bayou lafourche/terreborne, and seen many of changes happening in the last 35 years. there is a loss of culture going on, but most cajuns down the bayous in the area understand still how to work with the land. those lands may not be here in years to come and the culture will be lost. i'm not sure if our family land will be there to be passed on to my 10 year old when he grows up. when there is a hurricane down the bayous, thats when neighbors and communities come together. if there is no a/c for weeks, we make it work. sure, there may be some bitching but at the end of the day, sitting by candle light, playing peedro, we know who our people are. that culture of the area is what holds it together. not power companies. so, geaux ahead and suck up the a/c, use it while you can. i know you will and you just proved you will. i'm going to get used to not having it one day. been there, done that. will have to do it again. hopefully not this hurricane season.

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written by ChuckW , July 15, 2009 - 04:04 pm

You guys had better get used to this as it's just going to get worse. If we don't invest in the electrical grid as President Obama has suggested, then you'll see blackouts as a common occurrence. Energy is just going to get more scarce and expensive in the future. We should all be learning how to use at least 1/2 of what we do now.

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