Jan. 18, 2001-- The lights went out in nearly 2 million California homes and businesses Thursday in a second straight day of blackouts, as state lawmakers struggled to find a way out of the deepening crisis.
The power crisis in that state pushed a Utah political leader into action, today.
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Utah's situation is considerably better than California's right now. Utah Power has enough electricity for its customers and there is no crisis here.
But Salt Lake County Mayor Nancy Workman is looking to save money by saving power.
She says each year the county spends $5 million dollars on electricity.
Today she ordered the County's three major departments to reduce electrical power consumption.
Workman says she's worried the County's electric bills could go way up, thanks to a rate hike.
"We just need to be more cognizant and be more conservative. We do have problems in Utah. It's evident by this rate increase," Workman says.
Among other things, Workman is asking county employees to make sure they turn the heat down, and turn computers and lights off when leaving.
Utah Power is continuing to urge people to limit their electrical use during peak hours--4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
They say it's an especially good idea to avoid using appliances that consume a lot of power--things like dishwashers, washing machines, and clothes dryers during those peak hours.
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