OFFICE OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR -
BUSINESS AFFAIRS
February 22, 2005
ALL ACADEMICS AND STAFF AT UCSD
SUBJECT: "Stage 3" Alert in Effect Until Midnight Tonight
We have been notified that California's electrical supply/demand
disequalibrium has today again reached its most critical level, with a
"Stage 3" alert in effect until midnight tonight. This condition will
potentially entail rolling blackouts unless widespread voluntary
reductions are effective.
I am seeking the campus community's continued cooperation, which has
been very responsive since the Stage 3 emergency first began. The
University has pledged to the Governor that it will cooperate fully
with Statewide load-reduction actions.
Specifically, here is what you can do:
1. Turn off unnecessary lighting. Rely on low-wattage task lighting
or day lighting, if possible.
2. Turn off office equipment that is not being used, such as printers
and copiers (unless such machines are relatively new, DOE "Energy Star"
certified units that reduce energy consumption to a trickle during
periods of inactivity).
3. At the conclusion of the workday, shut down office and other
equipment for the evening.
4. Try to avoid opening refrigerators and freezers more frequently
than necessary today.
5. Postpone using laundry and dishwashing facilities until late this
evening.
6. Expect lighting, ventilation, and possibly elevator curtailments
(where multiple elevators exist) by facilities staff as they attempt to
manage the campus' electric load. Ventilation will be maintained at
safe levels, but airflow in offices and restroom exhaust fan speeds
will be cut noticeably in areas where we can make rapid adjustments.
Please be tolerant of our efforts in this regard.
7. Keep fume hood sashes closed whenever possible. This reduces the
load considerably at building exhaust fans and supply fans, as well as
thermal energy from the Central Plant.
8. Turn off electric space heaters. (If you are uncomfortable today,
turning up the thermostat a couple of degrees will incur substantially
less electric load than an electric space heater.)
9. Avoid using high-wattage appliances, machines, and illumination.
10. Be prepared for a possible blackout today by shutting down
machines that will incur damage, including loss of data, if power is
suddenly lost.
11. Please communicate any ideas or observations about how we can
reduce electric load anywhere on campus, either at the individual level
or through operational actions by Physical Plant Services, to either
Assistant Vice Chancellor Jack Hug (jhug@ucsd.edu) or me
(srelyea@ucsd.edu).
Looking beyond the current situation, we realize how important a stable
power environment is for a research university. I can assure you that
infrastructure improvements that are underway assign a premium to
reliability and long-term stability.
I appreciate your cooperation and the quick response of Physical Plant
Services in responding to this situation.
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Sincerely,
Steven W. Relyea
Vice Chancellor
Business Affairs
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