New England sets new records in electricity use

Despite the weak economy, electricity consumers in New England have set new records for power use.

ISO-New England, the Holyoke-based grid operator for the region, says peak demand hit record levels in May and September. The region also set an all-time record in electricity consumption for one month in July.

ISO-New England says July was the second-hottest July in New England since 1960 and New England's all-time electricity consumption for one month was recorded that month at 13,385 gigawatt hours.

The previous one-month consumption record was set in July 2006, with 13,365 gigawatt hours of electricity used.

Energy consumption in June, July and August totaled 36,863 gigawatt hours, ranking summer 2010 in third place behind summer 2005 and summer 2006.