Heat and Energy Conservation Advisory Oct. 17, 2012

ï¿½HEAT ADVISORY & REMINDERS DURING HOT WEATHERï¿½

ï¿½PASADENA, Calif.â€”City Officials are reminding everybody to take steps to protect against excessive heat exposure and to conserve energy when possible due to the hot temperatures this week in Pasadena and a fire yesterday, Oct. 16, at the City’s Glenarm Power Plant that disabled a turbine generator unit.ï¿½

ï¿½Officials with the City’s Pasadena Water and Power Department (PWP) are asking for the public’s help to be extra vigilant in their energy conservation this week, especially between 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.ï¿½ With the GT-2 turbine generator now out of service due to yesterday’s fire, and GT-1 and GT-3 both offline for repairs, the local power plant is currently operating with just one power generating unit, GT-4, a natural gas-fired system than can produce at peak about 45 megawatts of power.ï¿½

ï¿½So far, there has been no disruption in power service to customers of the Pasadena Water and Power Department, (PWP), but customers are reminded to help conserve energy by keeping air conditioners set at no less than 78 degrees, close curtains and blinds to keep out direct heat from the Sun and unplug all unnecessary electronics and appliances.ï¿½

ï¿½PWP Officials said any additional local generation or transmission equipment failures could force PWP to initiate local rolling blackouts with no advance warning. ï¿½These would likely have the greatest impact on the west side of the City.ï¿½

ï¿½Pasadena residents and businesses with any power emergencies should call Pasadena Water and Power Department at (626) 744-4673.ï¿½ For water-related emergencies, call (626) 744-4138.ï¿½

ï¿½Lack of rain this year also means area vegetation and brush is extremely dry and Pasadena Fire Officials urge extra care when using landscaping equipment.ï¿½ Remember to discard cigarettes properly and be aware that sparks from landscaping equipment or vehicles can ignite brush fires.ï¿½ Check the City’s website, www.cityofpasadena.net for updates on changing conditions.ï¿½

ï¿½Pasadena Officials also offer the following reminders and precautions:ï¿½

Weather updates can be found online at www.weather.gov/losangeles.ï¿½
If possible, stay indoors in an air conditioned environment, especially the young and the elderly.ï¿½ If your home or apartment is not air conditioned, consider going to an enclosed shopping mall, a public library or a designated cooling center.ï¿½
Remember to check on your neighbors, family and friendsâ€”especially the elderlyâ€”to make sure they are OK.ï¿½ Take them extra water or a cool beverage.ï¿½
Never leave anyone unattended in closed vehicles, including pets!ï¿½
Make sure your pets also have easy access to water and a cool place to stay.ï¿½
Keep air conditioners set to about 78 degrees.ï¿½
Close blinds and drapes to block out direct heat. Use energy efficient fans as alternative. ï¿½
Use major appliances in early morning or after 7 p.m., when energy demand is lower.ï¿½
Turn off lights, air conditioners, computers, TVs and other electronics when not in use.ï¿½
Set refrigerator to 37 degrees, clean coils regularly & unplug unused secondary fridges.ï¿½

If your work or recreation plans mean you must be outdoors, please consider the following: ï¿½

Air quality can easily degrade during hot weather.ï¿½ If you have heart disease, asthma or other lung disease, minimize outdoor activity to reduce heat-related illness.ï¿½
Symptoms of dehydration and heat cramps include dizziness, fatigue, faintness, headaches, muscle cramps and increased thirst.ï¿½
Wear light and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.ï¿½
Drink water often.ï¿½ Do not wait until you are thirsty.ï¿½
Avoid, reduce unnecessary exertion or vigorous exercise, whether outside or in a non-air conditioned building, especially during peak heat hours from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.ï¿½
Seek shady spots if possible and stay out of the sun if you don’t need to be in it.ï¿½
Wear a hat, preferably with a wide brim and use plenty of sunscreen.ï¿½

COOLING CENTERSï¿½

In Pasadena, the Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. Holly St., is the only pre-designated Cooling Center.ï¿½ The Senior Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday and from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sunday.ï¿½ Go to www.publichealth.lacounty.gov to find other designated cooling centers in Los Angele County. ï¿½

PASADENA PUBLIC LIBRARYï¿½

While not official Cooling Centers, the Pasadena Public Library and other local public libraries offer an enjoyable, air conditioned respite from the heat.ï¿½ The Pasadena Public Library offers these sites and hours of operation:ï¿½

Central Library, 285 E. Walnut Street, (626) 744-4066.ï¿½ Open 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday to Thursday; 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday.ï¿½

The following branches are open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday toThursday and Saturday:ï¿½

Allendale Branch, 1130 S. Marengo Ave., (626) 744-7260.ï¿½
Hill Avenue Branch, 55 S. Hill Ave., (626) 744-7264.ï¿½
Lamanda Park Branch, 140 S. Altadena Dr., (626) 744-7266.ï¿½
Linda Vista Branch, 1281 Bryant St., (626) 744-7278.ï¿½
San Rafael Branch, 1240 Nithsdale Road, (626) 744-7270.ï¿½
Santa Catalina Branch, 999 E. Washington Blvd., (626) 744-7272ï¿½

Other branch locations and hours are: ï¿½

La Pintoresca Branch, 1355 N. Raymond Ave., (626) 744-7268.ï¿½ Open 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday.ï¿½
Villa Parke Branch, 363 East Villa St., (626) 744-6510.ï¿½ Open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.ï¿½

Pasadena’s recreation centers also provide air conditioned environments.ï¿½ Go online to http://www.cityofpasadena.net/HumanServices and click on link for Community and Recreation Centers for details or call (626) 744-4386, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.ï¿½

ICE SKATING!ï¿½

A trip to the Pasadena Ice Skating Center, 300 E. Green St., is also a good way to beat the heat.ï¿½ Call (626) 578-0800 or online at www.skatepasadena.com for more info.ï¿½ For more information about the City of Pasadena, go online to www.cityofpasadena.net.ï¿½

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ï¿½FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 17, 2012 #086-12ï¿½

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:ï¿½William H. Boyer, Pasadena Public Information Officer, City Manager’s Office, (626) 744-4755, wboyer@cityofpasadena.net;ï¿½Erica Rolufs, Pasadena Water and Power, (626) 744-4434, erolufs@cityofpasadena.netï¿½orï¿½Lisa Derderian, Pasadena Fire Department, (626) 945-5169, lderderian@cityofpasadena.net ï¿½

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