ComEd: 2-Yr Pwr Load Record Broken, Higher Loads Expected

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ComEd: 2-Yr Pwr Load Record Broken, Higher Loads Expected Copyright © 2001 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

CHICAGO (Dow Jones)--Utility Commonwealth Edison Co. said early Wednesday that it has broken its all-time record for electricity use in its northern Illinois territory. According to figures released Wednesday, ComEd's 3.4 million customers pushed power demand levels to the 21,260-megawatt mark Tuesday. That eclipses the previous record of 21,243 megawatts set July 30, 1999. The actual Tuesday load level also beat ComEd's early-Tuesday estimate of a 20,600-megawatt peak.

The demand surge has been fueled by extremely hot and humid weather in the Chicago area, where temperatures have been hovering in the mid 90-degree Fahrenheit range. Temperatures are expected to surge even higher Wednesday, suggesting the utility will quickly eclipse its new load record.

ComEd, a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corp. (EXC), said it has enough power under contract to meet demand. The company is manning its emergency command centers and has put extra workers in the field to respond to any problems, should they arise.

Searing heat in the summer of 1999 stressed ComEd's distribution system, contributing to high-profile power outages throughout Chicago. Since then, ComEd has launched a multibillion dollar upgrade plan and has vowed improved service.

-By Jon Kamp, Dow Jones Newswires; 312-750-4129; mailto:jon.kamp@dowjones.com(END) Dow Jones Newswires 01-08-01

http://199.97.97.79/IMDS%PMADJN0%read%/home/content/users/imds/feeds/djn/2001/08/01/eng-djn/eng-djn_150054_144_624073966406

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), August 01, 2001


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