| August 27, 2009 |
|
| |
|
Last week, Mother Nature returned to form. After months of mild weather, we got a heat wave. It felt like summer had finally arrived, even if quite a bit later than it usually does in the Northeast.
Businesses and residents in New Jersey looked to beat the heat by doing what they have done summer after summer – turning on the air conditioning. And the power was there to keep them cool and comfortable.
Supplying the power during periods of high electricity demand does not happen by accident, luck or hope. Dozens of power plants of various sizes and types, spread throughout the state and the region, stand ready to run when the temperature and humidity soar. And run they did, flawlessly.
At one point during this recent heat wave, PJM, the organization that coordinates the movement of electricity in New Jersey and 12 other states, called on every one of PSEG’s coal, nuclear and large natural gas power plants in New Jersey, and even asked that some of our peaking stations be placed into service.
|
|
|
At the peak, PSEG had over 30 units running at 12 different New Jersey locations, producing nearly 50 percent of the peak New Jersey demand.
The people at PSEG take pride in a high standard of safe, reliable operations. They understand that consumers throughout New Jersey depend on them to ensure the power will be there when needed. It is not only a job, but an important responsibility that requires attention 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – whether during the heat of summer or cold of winter.
PSEG’s commitment to clean, reliable and responsible electric generation is long term. Investments are necessary to assure the electric power will be there in the decades ahead.
Within the last year, PSEG has invested more than $400 million to improve the reliability of its Salem and Hope Creek nuclear plants, and just last week, applied with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to extend the lives of these plants an additional 20 years.
At the Hudson and Mercer coal stations, PSEG is investing more than $1.5 billion in state-of-the-art technology to ensure the plants produce electricity in as clean a manner as possible. In addition, work has begun on several new peaking units that will be added to the Kearny station in 2012.
With energy, it’s always important to plan for tomorrow. And it’s vital to keep a strong focus on reliability as we build a brighter, greener energy future – not only with a view to keeping folks cool this summer, but for many summers to come.
What’s your view? Please let us know at Opinion@PSEG.com.
.pdf version |
email this page
