Los Alamos Reporter

DPU: Happening Now – Public Power Week

COUNTY NEWS RELEASE

The Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and the American Public Power Association (APPA) are celebrating Public Power Week this week. DPU is among approximately 2,000 community-owned, not-for-profit electric utilities that collectively provide electricity to 55 million Americans.

In observance of Public Power Week, DPU wants to share some stats on the electric divisions.

  • DPU has an electric supply division with a staff of 11. These folks are responsible for making power at the hydroelectric dams, scheduling enough power for community needs, and sourcing reliable and affordable power options.
  • DPU has an electric distribution division with a staff of 15 including engineers and linemen who keep the power flowing.
  • Approved resources include: Laramie River Station coal power plant, Abiquiu Hydroelectric Plant, El Vado Hydroelectric Plant, 1 MW Landfill Solar Array, Mercuria power purchase agreements, Foxtail Flats Solar PV and Battery Storage.
  • The electric distribution system consists of nearly 250 miles of power lines (1/3 being overhead), 2400 power poles, and 200 three-phase transformers.
  • Los Alamos County (LAC) and DOE-NNSA (LANL) maintain an Electric Coordination Agreement to best combine and pool resources to benefit both end users. DPU customers do not pay or offset the cost of energy for LANL. Instead, LAC provides electric power scheduling for the County, LANL, and Sandia National Laboratories and Kirtland Air Force Base.

Here are some tips to energize your electric usage.

  • According to the Alliance to Save Energy, the average U.S. home uses 70 light bulbs. Even though modern bulbs are energy efficient, you should still turn them off when they aren’t in use.
  • Heating and cooling your home require a lot of energy. Set your thermostat lower in the winter and higher in the summer and use (or block) solar gain to your advantage.
  • Install a programmable or smart thermostat to maximize heating and cooling scheduling.
  • Unplug appliances when you aren’t using them or get some smart power strips. Even when they aren’t being used, they are sometimes drawing “phantom power,” which wastes energy. To see just how much, check out the Kill-A-Watt meter from the Library of Things through the Los Alamos County Library System.
  • Use appliance delay functions or push start in the morning (instead of the evening) to take advantage of off-peak rates.
  • Your home’s water heater is a big energy user, whether it’s gas or electric. Make sure to use cold water when you can and turn off the hot water between scrubbing up and rinsing.
  • Consider a do-it-yourself home energy audit. DPU offers tools and guidance for this through the Library of Things or find information online at https://ladpu.com/DIYenergy.

DPU offers a variety of programs to help you use energy wisely and the following events are coming soon.

  • 4th Annual Ghost Hunt: Los Alamos Little Theatre, October 31, 3-5 p.m.
  • Update on available state rebates and tax credits: Nature Center, November 5, 6-7 p.m.
  • Weatherization techniques and benefits: Nature Center, November 16, 6-7 p.m.