Sierra Pacific Power Company
Contact: Gary Aldax
Phone: (775) 834-5508

For Immediate Release

Sierra Pacific Power Company is asking electric customers on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe to voluntarily reduce their use of electricity during peak usage time for the next several days.

The Waterfall Fire near Carson City is threatening a 120,000 volt electrical transmission line that serves the Incline Village area. As a precaution, the line has been de-energized and service to the North Shore is now being provided on alternate lines. This is not an emergency, and no service interruptions or problems are anticipated during this temporary situation. However, customers can help ensure the reliability of the region's electrical system by practicing some simple conservation measures.

During the fire emergency, customers are asked to refrain from using major appliances such as clothes washers, dryers and dishwashers in the late afternoon/early evening time period when electricity usage reaches its daily peak. Instead, use these appliances later at night or in the early morning.

Other energy conservation tips are available on the Sierra Pacific website at www.sierrapacific.com/conservation/ 

For other questions, contact Sierra Pacific's North Tahoe office at (530) 546-1700