CGA Emergency Energy Conservation Program Focuses on Reducing Electricity Use; Customer Safety Is No. 1.Business Editors SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 12, 2001 In a united effort to help offset a Stage 3 Emergency "rotating blackout A complete loss of power. See brownout. " on Thursday, Jan. 11, California Grocers Association members statewide implemented the association's Emergency Energy Conservation Program -- calling for a 10 percent reduction in electricity consumption during the alert. Participating retailers, representing more than 3,000 grocery stores statewide, voluntarily cutback cut·back n. 1. A decrease; a curtailment: "The political effects of food cutbacks could be devastating" New York Times. 2. lighting and non-essential equipment use. "Customers probably noticed that the lighting in their neighborhood grocery store wasn't as bright as normal," said Dave Heylen, CGA (Color/Graphics Adapter) The first video display standard for the IBM PC. This low-resolution system was superseded by EGA and then VGA. CGA required a digital RGB Color Display monitor. See PC display modes. CGA - Color Graphics Adapter vice president, Communications. "That's because lighting in most grocery stores was reduced by as much as 50 percent." Stores were in a power-down mode again on Friday as Cal-ISO issued a Stage 2 Emergency for the second day in a row. Thursday's emergency was upgraded to a Stage 3 during the day, opening the door for possible rotating blackouts. CGA's conservation program calls for retailers to reduce their energy consumption by up to 10 percent when Cal-ISO issues a Stage 1 emergency. This goal is typically reached by reducing overhead lighting, cooler and freezer freezer the compartment in which meat and offal are stored at freezing temperatures of 10 to 16°F (-12 to -9°C) although there is a trend to lower temperatures of 0 to -22°F (-18 to -30°C). case lighting and air conditioning air conditioning, mechanical process for controlling the humidity, temperature, cleanliness, and circulation of air in buildings and rooms. Indoor air is conditioned and regulated to maintain the temperature-humidity ratio that is most comfortable and healthful. , and curtailing the use of non-essential equipment (balers, compactors, etc.). "As heavy electricity consumers, the food industry is very aware of the need to conserve energy during these crisis periods," Heylen said. "Several major utilities have indicated that the grocery industry's conservation efforts have had a major impact on reducing load on the grid." Grocery retailers also are prepared in the event of a rotating blackout to take protective measures to ensure customer safety. "CGA is working with grocers on contingency plans A plan involving suitable backups, immediate actions and longer term measures for responding to computer emergencies such as attacks or accidental disasters. Contingency plans are part of business resumption planning. that ensure that customers are safely evacuated e·vac·u·ate v. e·vac·u·at·ed, e·vac·u·at·ing, e·vac·u·ates v.tr. 1. a. To empty or remove the contents of. b. To create a vacuum in. 2. from the store," Heylen said. "The food industry has a long history of experience operating during emergency situations. In fact, most contingency plans were developed or refined during the Y2K See Y2K problem and Y2K compliant. Y2K - Year 2000 scare in 1999. "Our main concern in these situations is for customer safety," he added. "Once that's secure and customers have safely exited the store, efforts turn to ensuring food safety." To find out more regarding CGA's Emergency Energy Conservation Program log on to CGA's website at: www.cagrocers.com and click on the energy icon. The site also lists those companies participating in the program. For additional information during the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, contact Dave Heylen at the telephone numbers listed above. |
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