Power outage traced to pole

NORTH TAMPA - A morning power outage that left 5,000 Tampa Electric customers in the dark was not due excessive demand linked to the cold weather, TECO said.

TECO crews traced the outage to a problem pole along Waters Avenue and fixed it early in the work day.

Homes went dark around 6 a.m., TECO said.

"All of the sudden there's total darkness everywhere," said Phil Schneider, who lost power while getting ready for work.

Schneider said he has just powered on his home's heater.

"It was 64 degrees when the power went out," he said. "It really wasn't too comfortable."

The power finally went back on when he was already out the door and on his way to work.

Both TECO and Progress Energy said they are well positioned to meet electric demand during this week's cold snap.

"We're planning for the demand the rest of the week to be pretty consistent," said TECO spokesman Rick Morera. "This morning would be a pretty good indication of what we'll be seeing the rest of the week."

Morera said Monday's electricity demand was similar to a hot summer day, but did not rise to record levels that spur rolling brown outs.

Progress Energy said its consumption was similar to TECO's.

TECO recommends customers set their thermostats for 70 degrees for the winter. Lowering you home's temperature from 74° to 70° will save $65 through the season, the utility said.

Schneider, who got ready for work in the chilly dark this morning says there is an alternative that's essentially free.

"That's what blankets are for," he said.