Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
May 16, 2003
Lee M. Baatz Assistant. V.P. – Rates
906-632-5170
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan - May 19, 2003 (7:00 a.m.) - Edison Sault Electric and Cloverland Electric Appeal to Customers to Reduce Electricity Usage
A dike failure at Upper Peninsula Power Co.'s Silver Lake Dam on the Dead River in Michigan's
Upper Peninsula is prompting Edison Sault Electric and Cloverland Electric to ask its customers to reduce their energy consumption until further notification to avoid temporary power interruptions. The Silver Lake Dam failure, which was brought on by heavy rains last weekend, combined with the subsequent failure of another dam downriver, also forced the controlled shutdown of the Presque Isle Power Plant.
"We're asking our customers to immediately reduce their use of electricity wherever possible," said Don Sawruk, Edison Sault president. "Wisconsin Energy has curtailed electric service to the firm service level of 20 megawatts (down from 300 megawatts) to the Empire and Tilden iron ore mines. Reducing the service to those mines, which are their two largest customers, will help stabilize the electric transmission system in the UP."
"With the constraint on the electric power transmission system in the Upper Peninsula, we urge the customers of Edison Sault and Cloverland Electric to take steps to limit their energy usage," said Sawruk. He encouraged customers to:
Delay chores that use electric appliances, such as dishwashing, laundering, and cooking until
after 9 p.m.
Don't leave lights or appliances on if they're not needed. They waste electricity.
Use the microwave oven rather than the regular oven. The microwave requires shorter
cooking times, and shorter cooking times save energy.
It's too early to say when Presque Isle will be back in service. Presque Isle employees are assessing the damage that's been done in and around the plant. They'll have to repair a bin wall around the plant's water intake structure and do extensive clean-up to remove water and debris from around equipment in the plant's lower level. This situation will probably last at least several weeks.
Over the weekend, Edison Sault ordered the emergency placement of six diesel units at Manistique. The diesel units are expected to come online later this week and will serve to add further relief on a very strained UP electrical system. Also, the Edison Sault Hydro Plant has received authority from the International Joint Commission to run full out 24 hours a day.
Wisconsin Energy’s officials are working with the other utilities in the area and the American
Transmission Company to keep the electric power transmission system operating, providing energy to all customers in the impacted areas. The company appreciates customers' efforts to help prevent further power interruptions.
Edison Sault and Cloverland will keep customers apprised on the situation as further developments occur.
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