Electricity demand sets new peak level

As the hot and humid weather continues, it is having an affect on electricity use and roadways.

Interstate Power and Light Company, an Alliant Energy company, set an electric peak for customers in its west region, which includes Iowa and Minnesota. This group set a new record peak of 3,701 megawatts at 6 p.m. Monday.

?This kind of hot humid weather taxes and tests our electrical grid. I am happy to say we?ve met the demand from our customers and continue our efforts to keep outages to a minimum,? said Tom Aller, president of Interstate Power and Light Company. ?However, as long as this heat remains, the electrical grid and Alliant Energy crews will continue to be tested.?

The previous record peak of 3,666 megawatts was set on Aug. 20, 2003.

Alliant Energy did exercise some of its interruptible contracts with industrial customers and also activated its residential central air conditioning load control program.

The Iowa Department of Transportation says motorists should be aware several Pavement blowups have been occurring this week.

The Iowa DOT urges motorists to pay special attention to pavement surfaces when driving during afternoons with 90-degree or hotter temperatures; use caution and reduce speed when approaching broken pavement areas.

Motorists who witness a pavement blowup are asked to contact the nearest law enforcement agency to ensure traffic is routed around the blowup until work zone signage and repair crews are on the scene.

Area residents who need relief from the heat should call the Jefferson County Law Center at 472-4146 for instructions on where to go.