July 24, 2022 5:00 p.m. 

With daily high temperatures forecast to be near or above the 100-degree mark for the next week across parts of the Pacific Northwest, officials with Pacific Power are urging residents to prepare for the heat wave.

A release said the utility is prepared to face higher demands on the grid from both record temperatures and increased customer need.

Erik Brookhouse, vice president of system operations for Pacific Power said, “We’ve taken steps for grid hardening, in particular since last summer, to prevent overloading at the substation level and on the distribution system”.

The release said wildfire conditions have elevated too and the utility has taken additional safety precautions in high risk areas to reduce the risk of wildfire. Among other measures, the company is conducting additional patrols of power lines and temporarily modifying targeted system settings to be more sensitive.

Customers can also take steps to manage their energy use during the summer, staying comfortable while avoiding a surprise on the next bill. Among the top energy-saving recommendations for summer are:

*Keep curtains and blinds closed during the day

*Open windows during cooler evening hours

*Operate the clothes dryer and dishwasher at night

*Those with air conditioning should set it to maintain an interior temperature of 78 degrees, higher when away from home

More electric energy information is available at: www.pacificpower.net