The record consumption was caused by temperatures that on Wednesday reached 20 degrees below zero Fahrenheit in Sault Ste. Marie, with reports of even lower temperatures at scattered locations.  The cold temperatures haven’t resulted in power outages, but have caused other operational problems for Edison Sault.

Occasionally during cold spells, the Company’s hydroelectric plant in Sault Ste. Marie experiences a condition known as anchor ice, or frazzle ice as it is known in some areas.  Under such conditions, the water flowing through the Company’s hydro plant begins to attach to the wicket gates, choking off the rotation of the generating wheels, and bringing electrical production to a standstill.  This reduction in the flow of water in the Company’s power canal results in some surface freezing in the hydro plant’s forebay area.  “We had some anchor ice conditions early in the morning on January 17, and we have been fighting the ice ever since,” said Ted Gauthier, Edison Sault’s hydro plant superintendent.  “We are rather limited in what we can do, mostly it takes Mother Nature and some sunshine to work our way out of it.”

Edison Sault’s customers don’t see any changes in their electric service as during such anchor ice conditions the company purchases more power from its outside supplier, We Energies of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  One area the customers will be seeing the effect of the cold weather is in their electric bills due to increased electrical usage. 

“Our meter readings for the first part of January are running substantially higher than a year ago,” said Jeff Stoll, Edison Sault’s customer accounting supervisor.  “The National Weather Service data for Sault Ste. Marie shows an increase of 20% in the number of Heating Degree Days so far in January compared to last year.  The increase in usage for many of our customers will be much higher than normal given the cold weather.”  Stoll recommends that customers concerned about the amount or payment of their bills should call customer service and should also consider the Company’s budget payment plan in the future.  “We will work with our customers so that their bills can be paid off without fear of a shutoff,” said Stoll.