Arcadia University participated in a PECO Energy curtailment emergency on Friday, July 22. Arcadia was able to meet its obligation in the PECO load shedding program to reduce its energy load by shutting down air conditioning units in six buildings from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Arcadia’s participation in the load shedding program translates to energy savings of more than $20,000 a year.

The buildings affected were Landman Library, the Dining Complex, Knight Hall, Brubaker Hall, Easton Hall and Boyer Hall. Temperatures in these buildings were maintained for a few hours after the shut down, and as the afternoon progressed, anyone who was uncomfortable with the building temperatures or had medical issues related to the heat could leave with the permission of their supervisors.

Arcadia also participated in a load shedding day in July 2010. In 2009, PECO did not have a summer day in which high temperatures exceeded its capacity to generate.