Con Ed Pulls the Plug: Brooklyn Residents Face Forced Outages Amid Heat Wave

Brooklyn residents are facing an intense heat wave, prompting Con Edison to take proactive measures to protect the power grid. More than 117,000 customers in specific Brooklyn neighborhoods are being asked to conserve energy as the utility company works to repair damaged infrastructure and prevent widespread outages. The heat index is expected to soar as high as 110 degrees on Tuesday, leading to an extreme heat warning issued by the National Weather Service for New York City through Wednesday. Temperatures are forecast to remain near 100 degrees. Con Edison has implemented an 8% voltage reduction in two heavily populated areas of northern and eastern Brooklyn: Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bushwick, Greenpoint, and Williamsburg. The first affected zone is approximately bounded by the Brooklyn-Queens border and Newtown Creek to the north, Fulton Street to the south, the borough line to the east, and Graham and Throop avenues to the west. The second region spans from Fulton Street south to Clarendon Road, and from New York Avenue east to Alabama Avenue. To help alleviate the strain on the power grid, Con Edison is urging residents in these areas to limit their use of energy-intensive appliances, including washing machines, dryers, and microwaves. Reducing air conditioning usage is particularly important. Residents are encouraged to use only one air conditioning unit and set it to the highest comfortable temperature. Electric vehicle owners are asked to avoid charging their vehicles unless absolutely necessary. The goal of these measures is to reduce pressure on the electrical system and allow utility workers to complete necessary repairs. The city is taking steps to help residents cope with the extreme heat. Cooling centers are open throughout Brooklyn, and many residents are seeking relief at beaches and playground sprinklers. City officials are advising residents to stay indoors during peak heat hours, drink plenty of water, and check on their neighbors, especially those who are elderly or medically vulnerable. Emergency Management is working closely with Con Edison to monitor the situation and provide support as needed. Con Edison assures customers that the voltage reduction is localized to the specified areas and is not affecting the broader grid. Residents can report outages or check the status of repairs by visiting the Con Edison website, using the Con Edison mobile app, or calling 1-800-75-CONED. Staying safe and conserving energy are critical during this extreme heat wave. By working together, Brooklyn residents can help prevent further strain on the power grid and ensure the system continues to operate effectively.