Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Northwest power supply is holding up under the increased demand of the last few days. But April Baer reports that power suppliers are still advising you to consume less if you can.

When the weather gets this hot in the more densely populated parts of Western Oregon, power providers get nervous flashbacks of 2006. 

That year, a West Coast heat wave almost drained the grid. But Michael Milstein with the Bonneville Power Administration has several reasons why that's not happening now.

Michael Milstein   "The economy, with the recession has dampened demand somewhat, and the demand from California's not as intense."

Which Milstein says is fortunate, because there's not as much water in the Columbia this year as some years past. But Bonneville's keeping an eye on the duration of the hot streak.

Several consecutive warm nights could put more strain on the system. While customers are encouraged to do what they need to do to stay safe and cool, utilities are asking them to open windows when it's cool outside, close the curtains on sunny windows, and take other measures to avoid burning power needlessly.