Ketchikan power customers urged to cut back on electricity

KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) – Ketchikan’s power utility is asking customers to throttle back their electrical usage.

Freezing temperatures and low water levels in lakes, the source of hydropower for Ketchikan Public Utilities’ electric division, has maxed out power production, the Ketchikan Daily News reported.

A 30-megawatt demand is putting stress on the system during peak hours. The utility is also juggling repairs, sending power to northern communities and dealing with Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation permit limitations, said electric division manager Andy Donato.

“I don’t know i...