Con Edison has issued a request for energy conservation from customers in southeastern Queens while crews conduct necessary repairs on electrical equipment. To aid in this effort, the utility provider has decreased voltage by 8% in the impacted region.
Currently, over 6,200 customers are enduring power outages in a specific area defined by the Grand Central Parkway to the north, Jamaica Bay to the south, the Nassau County line to the east, and Queens Boulevard along with the Van Wyck Expressway to the west. This area encompasses neighborhoods such as Bellaire, Bellerose, Cambria Heights, Floral Park, Glen Oaks, Hollis, Jamaica, and several others, totaling approximately 166,000 customers.
As crews work to restore full power, Con Edison has advised residents to refrain from using high-energy appliances, including washers, dryers, and microwaves. Additionally, they recommend minimizing the use of air conditioning by operating only one unit at a time and setting it to the highest comfortable temperature. Residents are also encouraged to avoid charging electric vehicles when possible until emergency repairs are completed. The timeline for full restoration remains uncertain.
This energy conservation plea coincides with the onset of the summer’s first heat wave in New York City, prompting concerns that more neighborhoods may soon be asked to limit their energy consumption.
Con Edison provides resources for customers to report outages and check on restoration efforts via their website, mobile app for iOS and Android, or by calling their dedicated service line.
For further energy-saving tips, residents can visit Con Edison’s official website, where the utility has outlined various strategies that could lessen both energy consumption and utility costs.
This situation underscores the importance of community support and cooperation during unplanned outages, especially as temperatures rise. Together, residents can help ensure the reliability of the power supply while repairs are underway.