As Brooklyn experiences its first major heat wave of the year, Con Edison is taking proactive measures to protect the power grid. The utility company is requesting that over 117,000 customers in specific Brooklyn neighborhoods reduce their electricity usage while crews work to repair damaged infrastructure. This call for conservation comes as temperatures are expected to soar, with the heat index forecast to reach as high as 110 degrees on Tuesday. The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for New York City through Wednesday, with high temperatures expected to hover near 100 degrees. Con Edison has implemented an 8% voltage reduction in two heavily populated areas of northern and eastern Brooklyn: Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bushwick, Greenpoint, and Williamsburg. The first affected zone is approximately bounded by the Brooklyn-Queens border and Newtown Creek to the north, Fulton Street to the south, the borough line to the east, and Graham and Throop avenues to the west. The second region spans from Fulton Street south to Clarendon Road, and from New York Avenue east to Alabama Avenue. This voltage reduction is a preventive measure designed to protect the utility’s electrical equipment and maintain service reliability during the extreme heat. To help alleviate the strain on the grid, Con Edison is asking customers in these areas to limit their use of energy-intensive appliances such as washing machines, dryers, and microwaves. Reducing air conditioning usage is also crucial. Residents are advised to use only one air conditioning unit and set it to the highest comfortable temperature. Electric vehicle owners are asked to avoid charging their vehicles unless absolutely necessary. These conservation efforts are essential to allow utility workers to complete necessary repairs and restore full service to the affected areas. In response to the heat, Brooklyn residents are turning to cooling centers, beaches, and playground sprinklers for relief. City officials are urging residents to stay indoors during peak heat hours, drink plenty of water, and check on their neighbors, especially the elderly and medically vulnerable. Emergency Management is coordinating with Con Edison to monitor the situation and provide support as needed. Con Edison emphasizes that the voltage reduction is contained to the specific areas under voltage reduction and is not affecting the broader grid. Customers can report outages or check the status of repairs by visiting the Con Edison website, using the Con Edison mobile app, or calling 1-800-75-CONED. Understanding the reasons behind the voltage reduction and the importance of energy conservation can help Brooklyn residents contribute to grid stability during this challenging heat wave.
Posted By Todd Betzold
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