Power companies hit usage peaks in the heat of summer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Area power companies are hitting usage peaks as they try to keep customers cool.

Officials with BPU in Kansas City, Kan., said they reached their usage peak on Wednesday, which means they used more energy on Wednesday than any other day of the summer. The same is true for  Independence Power & Light.

Westar Energy in Topeka, Kan., is still waiting to set a new record.

"Overall, this summer we are definitely meeting and handling all our customer needs as far as power generation," said Shane Batchelder, spokesman for Westar Energy. "We have not hit any new peaks or highs this summer."

Power companies encourage customers to conserve energy when they can, by turning down the thermostat when they are not at home.