July 10, 2002--
Utah is heating up.
As the mercury rises - you may want to turn your A-C's down and leave your cars parked.
The hot weather - is taking a toll on the the air - and on our resources.
News Specialist Sandra Yi has the story.
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The Cottonwood Community Pool is a hot spot today - for people wanting to cool down.
As we try to beat the heat - the Energy Office and air quality experts want to remind us to conserve - and give the air a break.
Dorothy Woolf/Salt Lake City Resident: "I'M JUST ABOUT DYING, THANK YOU (LAUGHS)."
It's hot this summer - hotter than most Dorothy Woolf can remember.
She still gardens outside - but cools down in the shade and in her home.
Dorothy Woolf/Salt Lake City Resident: "I'VE GOT THE AIR CONDITIONING, THANK GOODNESS. IT'S LIFE SAVING."
Still - Woolf conserves - turning the air off in half her home.
The Utah Energy Office is urging people today - also to reduce power use.
Today is a Yellow Power Day - which happens when temperatures reach more than 96 degrees and power costs rise.
Not conserving - can mean higher power bills and black outs.
On YELLOW Power days, residents are urged to:
Avoid using electricity during peak hours (2pm to 8pm)
Set air conditioning to 85 degrees F when you are not at home
Set the air conditioner to 78 degrees or higher
Turn off lights that aren't needed.
Use a portable fan instead of an air conditioner
Unplug even small appliances that aren't in use-- like blenders and can openers. They use a little power even though they're not in use.
Don't use big appliances like clothes washers and dryers, or dishwashers, during peak hours.
Keep blinds closed on windows that face south and west.
Use the microwave or outdoor grill instead of a conventional oven.
Jon Allred/Utah Energy Office: "IF YOU CUT BACK THE POWER YOU USE BETWEEN 2 O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON AND 8 PM, THAT WILL HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON REDUCING THE PRESSURE ON THE GRID, AND THAT MEANS YOUR NEIGHBOR'S POWER MAY NOT GO OUT, OR YOURS."
The unrelenting heat can also be bad for our health. It's causing ozone levels to soar.
This morning - a haze of pollutants - one ingredient for ozone - hovered in the air.
The Department of Environmental Quality says - parking our car can do the air some good. The D-E-Q asked people not to drive again today.
Experts say - every one can make a difference - as we all patiently wait - for a cool down.
Dorothy Woolf/Salt Lake City Resident: "OH, I CAN HARDLY WAIT. LOOK AT ME. IT'S BEAUTFUL THOUGH."
There are a few things we can do - to help the air. The D-E-Q has launched a 'choose clean air' campaign.
