MID, TID expect to have the power to weather the heatwave but ask customers to conserve
Customers who rely on the Modesto and Turlock irrigation districts for their electricity are expected to weather the Labor Day weekend heatwave in good shape.
The districts expect to handle the increased demand for power but are encouraging customers to conserve through such measures as setting their air conditioners at no lower than 78 degrees, turning off lights they are not using and cutting back on their energy use from 4 to 9 p.m.
The districts are not subject to the rolling blackouts that can affect Pacific Gas and Electric Co. customers. The Modesto and Turlock irrigation districts provide power to about 230,000 customers throughout nearly all of Stanislaus County.
“We don’t anticipate any issues,” TID Communications Manager Constance Anderson said.
MID Public Affairs Manager Melissa Williams said as of Thursday, her district was not anticipating breaking the record for power use set on August 17, 2020, when demand reached 702 megawatts. Anderson said TID anticipates it could set a record for peak demand Tuesday, breaking its record of 692 megawatts.
Both said the demand for power is less over the weekend than weekdays because many businesses are closed and people can be out of their homes, especially during a holiday weekend. But demand still is expected to be high for a weekend.
MID customers can report any power failures at 209-526-8222 or 888-897-8222. TID customers can call 209-883-8301.
The National Weather Service forecasts daytime highs of 105 to 109 degrees for Modesto over the three-day weekend. Don’t expect a break from the heat when the sun goes down — the weather service is forecasting overnight lows of 73 to 79 degrees.
These temperatures are 15 to 20 degrees higher than the typical temperatures for this time of the year, according to the weather service.
This story was originally published September 2, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
