PSC Emergency Load Reduction: Today, 1 - 6 pm

The SUNY Oswego campus has received notification from the Public Service Commission (PSC) of a statewide emergency load reduction notification mandate. All State facilities are required to reduce electric load during this event. This order applies to all facilities in New York State and will remain in effect from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., today (Thursday, July 18, 2019).

The following items are typical actions that could be taken to reduce electrical load:

• Turn off appliances (e.g., coffee machines, refrigerators, etc.).
• Reduce lighting to minimal levels.
• For stand-alone space-cooling unit, set temperature to 78 degrees and/or consider pre-cooling a building (or space) when the weather forecast calls for hazy, hot and humid conditions to persist for four days or more. (Pre-cooling refers to cooling a building during the early morning hours before electric loads rise. Once cooled, building temperatures are allowed to creep upward to 78 degrees over the course of the day.)
• Eliminate space cooling in unoccupied room.
• Turn off all idle equipment such as printers, copiers, personal computers, monitors, etc.
• Verify that the energy management “sleep” features are enabled on computer equipment so they automatically power down when in intermittent use.
• Turn off all displays, water fountains and decorative lights.
• Turn off all lights in unoccupied rooms.
• Ensure that all vestibule and exterior doors are tightly closed.
• Remove all items (plants, books, furnishings, etc.) from heating/cooling vent grills.
• Close blinds and window coverings.

SUNY Oswego's Facilities Maintenance and Operations Department is working to reduce and cycle air conditioning on campus to maintain comfort in occupied areas and meet our load reduction obligation. Any reduction in lighting, computers, or other appliances by building occupants will make it easier for us to maintain building comfort.

If you have any questions, please call Facilities Services Maintenance & Operations at x3200.

Wayne A. Westervelt
Chief Communication Officer
SUNY Oswego