A two-hour trial run of a city plan to conserve energy in the event of a natural gas shortfall this winter resulted in an estimated energy load reduction of between 2 percent and 4 percent, Anchorage officials said Thursday afternoon.

City officials and local utility operators, concerned about the potential for gas delivery problems at the coldest times this winter, asked residents to lower thermostats to 65 degrees, shut off unnecessary lights and electronics, turn down water heaters to "warm" or "vacation" mode, and postpone washing dishes and laundry from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Preliminary estimates indicate the energy load reduction was 2 percent to 4 percent but those numbers might change after a more detailed analysis. The final report is expected next week.

"I am immensely pleased with the response to the first energy conservation drill from the community and, indeed, the entire region," Mayor Dan Sullivan said. "Because this has never been done before, we had no idea what to expect but all indications show that citizens would conserve in the event of a real emergency."

He said officials didn't have a goal for the energy load reduction. This was just the initial test that will help determine the goal, he said.

The high point of the test came from Homer Electric Association and Elmendorf Air Force Base, which reduced energy loads respectively by 6.5 percent and between 4 percent and 5 percent, according to the city.

The goal of the test was to measure potential energy savings in the event the city issues an alert this winter asking residents to take similar steps on a longer-term basis to stem consumption and avert a crisis.

The test was coordinated by the city, with the help of Chugach Electric Association, Municipal Light and Power, Matanuska Electric Association, Homer Electric Association, Enstar Natural Gas Co. and the Mat-Su and Kenai Peninsula boroughs.

Find James Halpin online at adn.com/contact/jhalpin or call him at 257-4589.

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