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Local News 
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Energy records broken as Snohomish County shivers EVERETT — If you were getting out of bed, turning up your heat and getting into a hot shower about 8 a.m. Thursday, you were far from the only one.That’s the moment when the Snohomish County PUD recorded one of the highest electricity usage spikes in its history, spokesman Neil Neroutsos said. It’s also the same time, when Puget Sound Energy recorded the highest electricity use ever in its nine-county service area, which does not include Snohomish County. The cold snap this week that produced several record low temperatures around the Puget Sound region kept use of electricity and natural gas close to all-time highs, officials said. Puget Sound Energy supplies natural gas to six counties, including Snohomish County. The utility’s all-time record systemwide for natural gas was broken twice this past week, spokeswoman Dorothy Bracken said. The utility first broke its gas record Monday, when 791,096 mmbtu, a standard natural gas measurement, were used across its service area in a 24-hour period, Bracken said. Numbers for Snohomish County alone were not available. The previous record of 785,043 was set Dec. 20 of last year, she said. The wintertime average is about 500,000 mmbtu, she said. Monday’s record stood only two days. It was broken in the 24-hour period ending at 7 a.m. Wednesday, when 812,813 mmbtu were used, Bracken said. All of Snohomish County’s electricity comes through Snohomish County PUD. At 8 a.m. Thursday, the utility hit its sixth-highest use point ever, at 1,531 megawatts, Neroutsos said. The average wintertime level for the utility is about 1,000 megawatts, he said. “We did go over 1,500 several times this week,” Neroutsos said. “It was more of a sustained high usage level.” The all-time high was set in December 1990 at 1,602 megawatts, Neroutsos said. The second-highest usage peak occurred Dec. 20, 2008, at 1,560 megawatts. Other high points were in 2008, 1998 and 1990, he said. Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439, sheets@heraldnet.com. |
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COMMENTS
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the last time the lakes froze around here was winter of 1978-79 between Xmas & New Years & went well into January of 1979.
I recall having the heat set to MAX in 1979 ---as we maintained a temperature of 50 degrees inside the living room, while it was -6F outside, blocks from Silver Lake, which was totally frozen.
I recall watching all of our neighbors walking along Silver Lake, some ice skating, as others tried. A VW-Bug also drove onto the frozen lake, several times, until it ultimately went through the ice at center of Lake.
Local & Seattle media, at time, covered the event.
---funny how none can "recall" that today. But then few here today were here... yesterday.
Fact is... there is a VW Bug at the bottom of Silver Lake, at it's very center, when it broke through the ice in Dec 1978, maybe January 1979. Everett Police, using a floatation boat were able to save the two "dudes" in vehicle, but were unable to save vehicle. It was basically... a "non-issue".
Funny, how the media forgets, but the locals do not. Fact is.... Our lakes used to freeze all the time. "South Everett" used to be referred to as.... "Eastmont Pass" when I-5 was under construction. At time no one knew what a convergence zone was, except us who lived here. THOSE DAYS are gone. Gone are the days South Everett receives 2 feet of snow for every inch Seattle receives. Today, if the Everett Mall recieves 4", it breaks all media top stories. It used to be totally ignored.
Everybody alive in 1970 or earlier KNOWS... our winters around Everett are warmer today than yesterday. Not every year, but in time their is no doubt ---white christmases used to be frequent, now they may survive one season in a lifetime. Snowfall used to last 2 weeks, or a month, today they last a day, maybe 3. In 1970, people in Everett used to ski on Mt Pilchuck, just east of Granite Falls. That resort went bankrupt in the 70s.
Simply said... us "old people" recall the hard winters of past & see a sharp decline from what used to be cold, we is now warm.
Good god, there are palm tree's planted on Everett Ave in the late 90's which still survive to this day ---despite all the winters we have had in past 15 years.
cme everett | Dec 12, 2009 5:39 am | 4 replies | Request removal
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cme, thanks for your post. Interesting history on the area.
Peter in Maltby | Dec 12, 2009 6:38 am | Request removal
I was not even around yet but my dad was just telling me about this yesterday and he has pictures of the VW on the ice!
Heather LaMarr | Dec 12, 2009 2:54 pm | Request removal
Some people will not believe you. Some people refuse to believe in global warming. Your story should serve as a warning to those who will believe some nut job on FOX news over a first hand account.
Mike Flavin | Dec 12, 2009 3:52 pm | Request removal
Climb to the top of Mt. Pilchuck and look at the photos in the lodge at the top. You will see many photos of snow from the years past, and realize that the mountain has not seen that kind of snow for many decades. Yes the climate is warming; the only people in denial are the ones that sit in their little cubicle all day.
Phillip Day | Dec 13, 2009 5:21 pm | Request removal
Interseting how you failed to tie this in with decisions by the unelected bureaucrats and fascists at the Puget Sound Clean Air Directorate. There is an entity that could use some of those severe budget cuts that I've been hearing governor cry about.
IAM751Inspector | Dec 12, 2009 6:58 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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