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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2015

Alameda Municipal Power Assures Customers that Energy Supply Remains Safe Amidst Fires

As fires rage in Northern California, Alameda Municipal Power (AMP) wants to assure its customers that its energy supply in the area remains secure and that customers should have no worries about AMP keeping the lights on.

AMP’s power supply includes geothermal and solar plants located in the fire area near the town of Middletown. While this power does not supply Alamedans directly, it is sent to the electric grid that distributes energy to Alameda and many other cities in Northern California. While there has been reported potential damage to AMP’s power facilities in the area, the extent of the damage is not yet known. However, service to AMP customers remains uninterrupted. 

AMP maintains a highly diversified mix of generation including wind, geothermal, biomass, solar and hydroelectric power throughout Northern California. Should the utility’s geothermal plant be threatened by the fires, these other sources of generation can more than meet Alameda’s needs. Additionally, AMP’s power supplier, the Northern California Power Agency, maintains combustion turbines at Alameda Point, which can also be called into operation.

“This diverse mix of generation places AMP in a far less vulnerable position when disasters like this occur,” said AMP’s general manager Glenn Steiger.  “This event underscores the value of diversification but also the importance of planning for our energy future. “ 

AMP will continue to monitor the situation and update customers as needed.

Janice Adam
Alameda Municipal Power 
Office Phone: 510-814-6423
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