The hot weather is putting a strain on utility companies as air conditioners run full blast 24 – 7 to keep homes and businesses cool. Tom Glanzer with Northwestern Energy says they have been bumping very near a record load…[audio:http://prprt.itmwpb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/688/2012/07/Tom-Glanzer-716a.mp3|titles=Tom Glanzer 716a]
Glanzer says the peak last summer was over a sustained period, similar to this year…
[audio:http://prprt.itmwpb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/688/2012/07/Tom-Glanzer-716b.mp3|titles=Tom Glanzer 716b]Glanzer says they have enough generation to meet the demand, but they are using some peaking plants to maintain the load…
[audio:http://prprt.itmwpb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/688/2012/07/Tom-Glanzer-716c.mp3|titles=Tom Glanzer 716c]Glanzer says they are monitoring their system in hopes of avoiding any mechanical or technical issues.
Northwestern serves about sixty two thousand electric customers, mostly in eastern South Dakota.