Workers at the Department of Energy’s Hanford Site in Washington state, where daytime high temperatures are in the triple-digits, should be prepared for potential power outages lasting up to four hours on Tuesday, according to an online advisory to employees.
“Employees that can telework should telework,” according to the advisory posted online by Leidos-led services provider, Hanford Mission Integration Solutions. “All other employees are to report to work as scheduled.”
The advisory adds that one clinic run by HPMC, Hanford’s occupational medical contractor, which provides health services including COVID-19 vaccinations, has cancelled appointments for Tuesday, although a second HPMC clinic in the 200 West area remains open.
The area around Richland, Wash., is expected to see a high of about 118 degrees Fahrenheit today and the daytime highs should remain above 100 degrees through early next week, according to the forecast. Avista, a Spokane-based power company, on Monday asked customers to scale back their electricity usage through at least Thursday.
The “unprecedented and sustained extreme high temperatures” are putting a strain on the electric system, Avista said in a Monday press release, urging customers to take measures such as dialing back their air conditioner settings.
