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O&R Outage Response Teams Standing by as First Summer Heat Wave Intensifies

  • Orange & Rockland Media Relations

  • Pearl River – July 02, 2026 -- 09:45 AM

Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R) emergency response crews remain fully prepared to address potential service disruptions as the region experiences its first major heat wave of the year heading into the holiday weekend.

With extreme heat and heavy humidity expected to be at its worst over the next two days, O&R grid operators are closely monitoring the system. High demand for air conditioning during prolonged hot spells puts additional strain on electrical infrastructure, which can cause equipment to overheat and result in localized, scattered outages.

O&R’s readiness is backed by year-round, strategic investments designed to fortify the electric grid against severe weather events. As intense heat waves become more frequent and severe due to shifting climate patterns, these infrastructure upgrades are vital to maintaining reliable power delivery for our customers.

To help keep the system stable and help lower energy bills, O&R encourages customers to use electricity mindfully. Here are several practical, cost-effective energy-saving tips to help families stay comfortable while managing their usage:

  • Turn down or turn off air conditioning in your home while you are away or at work to help lower your energy bill.
  • Set your air conditioner to the highest comfortable temperature to save energy and money.
  • Fans help cool and circulate air so you can rely less on air conditioning to stay comfortable.
  • Close all doors and windows in your home while the air conditioning is running to make things cooler.
  • Cook, bake, or perform other household activities that produce heat during the cooler times of the day and night.
  • Pull your curtains and shades closed to help block out the sun and the heat of the day.
  • Hold off on charging your electric vehicle. Charge your EV or plug-in hybrid after 10 p.m., unless necessary.
  • Take advantage of your smart meter by viewing your energy usage and customized energy savings tips located in your online account at oru.com/MyAccount.
  • Consider upgrading your older thermostats and appliances to ones that are more energy efficient. Smart thermostats can control the temperature in your home from anywhere. You can find customer-exclusive savings and rebates at MyORUStore.com.

For more energy efficiency tips, incentives, and rebates, please click here.

If you experience a power outage, don’t assume that O&R automatically knows about it. You can report it and check to see when your lights will be back on through:

  • ORU.com/ReportOutage from any computer or web-based mobile device.
  • O&R mobile app from your iPhone, iPad, or Android device --- download via Apple Store or Google Play
  • Text messaging by texting “OUT” to 678797 (ORUPWR) or
  • Call 1-877-434-4100.

The company also sends e-mails to customers to communicate energy-saving tips and information on reporting outages.

 

Customer Protections During Extreme Heat

Residential customers are afforded specific safeguards during periods of elevated temperatures. Service disconnections are suspended when the local heat index is forecasted to reach 90°F or higher. We will also pause disconnections for two additional days in areas designated as heat islands. More information can be found here.

 

Cooling Center Availability


If New York State officials activate cooling centers, find the latest information on locations and hours by clicking here.

 

About O&R

Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc., one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies. O&R is a regulated utility that provides electric service to approximately 300,000 customers in southeastern New York State (where its franchise name is Orange and Rockland Utilities) and northern New Jersey (where it’s Rockland Electric Company), and natural gas service to approximately 140,000 customers in New York.