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How Weather Sparks All-Time Power Usage Record

Nebraska's largest electric utility is asking customers to conserve after another record day for energy usage.

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Reporter: Associated Press

Nebraska's largest electric utility is asking customers to conserve after another record day for energy usage.

The Nebraska Public Power District says it set an all-time peak on Wednesday, with an estimated 3,000 megawatts. The previous record was the day before, at over 2,800 megawatts.

Before that, the last all-time peak was about 2,700 megawatts on July 30, 2006.

NPPD has operational programs in place to reduce the amount of power it may need to generate power or to cut customers' usage with their permission. Even so, NPPD says the great amount of electricity carried across the transmission system and fluctuating voltages can tax the system.

To help save energy, customers should raise the thermostat, close the blinds and don't use the dishwasher or drier until night.