As Temperatures Rise, Con Ed Turns The Power Down

With temperatures hitting 95 degrees, Con Edison reduced voltage by five percent to some neighborhoods in Brooklyn due to problems with electrical equipment.

The voltage-reduction areas include Sheepshead Bay, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Midwood, Flatbush, Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and others.

The voltage reduction was done as a precaution to protect equipment and maintain service as company crews work to repair the problems.

While crews are making repairs, Con Edison is asking customers in those two areas to conserve electricity and turn off nonessential electric equipment, such as TVs, computers, air conditioners, washers, dryers and microwaves.  They can keep refrigerators on, but are asked to keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to help save energy.

Customers can report power interruptions or service problems as well as view service restoration information online at www.ConEd.com and on their cell phones and PDAs. Customers may also call Con Edison at (800) 752-6633. When reporting an outage, customers should have their Con Edison account number available, if possible, and report whether their neighbors also have lost power.

The equipment problems have no effect on the rest of the Con Edison system. Con Edison will provide updates to affected customers both directly and through the media as the situation warrants.  The company is in constant communication with the New York City Office of Emergency Management.

Tomorrow promises to be just as hot, so expect more brownouts.