Westchester County Agencies Reduce Electricity Use

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Westchester County has asked its employees to cut down on electricity in order to help minimize the risk of brown-outs and black-outs during peak usage. In a copy of a email sent to employees, Peter McCartt, director of energy conservation and sustainability, said, "In exchange for lowering our power use and hitting benchmarks, the county will be paid by New York State and the federal government."

McCartt said that for the first time since signing an agreement with NuEnergen, which has a "demand response" program, the county has been asked to lower its power Friday.

Employees were directed to turn off all non-essential electrical devices and turn off lights if possible.

The following is the list of affect locations and the schedule:

• Supreme Court – 2-6 p.m.
• Mamaroneck Waste Water Treatment Plant – 2-6 p.m.
• Michaelian Office Building – 2-6 p.m.
• New Rochelle Waste Water Treatment Plant – 2-6 p.m.
• Ossining DEF Facility – 4-8 p.m.
• Peekskill Waste Water Treatment Plant – 4-8 p.m.
• Portchester Waste Water Treatment Plant – 2-6 p.m.
• Rye Blind Brook Pump– 2-6 p.m.
• Rye Playland – 2-6 p.m.
• Westchester County Airport – 2-6 p.m.
• Westchester County Center – 2-6 p.m.
• Westchester County Department of Correction (Jail) – 2-6 p.m.
• Department of Transportation – 4-8 p.m.
• Yonkers Waste Water Treatment Plant – 4-8 p.m.

McCartt said there was nothing more for employees to do.

"The building maintenance staff will work to 'super-cool' the building as a run-up to start time and turn on the back-up generators.

"We are not alone in this event," McCartt said, "several other county buildings and facilities are also enacting their protocols as well many other large users of electricity. By doing this we minimize the need to build more electrical infrastructure that costs billions, as well the risk of black-outs."

For more information about NuEnergen's Demand Response program, visit their website.

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