Brown Outs in Waterloo

Grocery Store Saving Electricity
Today I was at a local grocery store which I understand uses a lot of electricity for refrigeration. It is a great grocery store and very popular with local citizens. I was visiting around 3:30 p.m. today and there was an announcement on the public announcement system for the store that there was going to be some kind of temporary reduction in the use of energy in the store.

I asked a worker in the store what the announcement was and she told me that it was to avoid brownouts (In the store, I believe). I find it very interesting that a store would take such measures to prevent brownouts. It is commendable that the store is taking steps which I believe must "smooth out" its energy use during the day. I believe it is also a sign that energy issues are here to stay. Today is a very hot and muggy day in Waterloo and I would not be surprised if air conditioning is taxing the local energy grid.