With high temperatures blazing through Michigan, the Lansing Board of Water and Light has asked its customers to try to conserve the amount of electricity they use to prevent a possible blackout.

Temperatures in the upper 90s have lead to high energy use across the state from the increased use of air conditioners and fans, and Mark Nixon, the communications director of the Board of Water and Light said the company could break the record for the amount of megawatts produced.

"When something like this happens, it is hard to say whether it is a good thing or bad thing," Nixon said. "If a company is able to handle that amount of wattage, then by all means. But for most companies, they can only send out so much electricity before trouble occurs."

Nixon said the company is not asking people to completely stop using their electricity but to be careful of the amount of electricity they use.

"No one has to keep (the air conditioner) off all day," Nixon said. "We just don't want people to use it so much that it causes our system to crash."

In August 2003, the northeastern section of the country experienced a major blackout, and since then utility companies have discussed how similar situations could be prevented in the future.

"We got together and decided to make up regions across the country," Nixon said. "These specific regions would allow for a series of cooperation and keep the flow of communication between each company open."

Nixon said the company is asking customers to comply with their requests, but does not see the problem elevating any further.

He added that businesses and restaurants are also encouraged to limit their use of electricity.

Dan Zopf, general manager at Mitchell's Fish Market, 2975 Preyde Blvd., said the restaurant keeps the temperature between 70 and 72 degrees to make sure customers are comfortable.

"When it comes to the temperatures in the restaurant, it all comes down to the customers' and staff's comfort level," Zopf said. "When people come in to the restaurant and pay a lot of money for a meal, a person wants to feel comfortable, and when you have to push your temperature up to like 75, it is just too hard to remain comfortable for awhile."

Erin Argue, an employee at Flats Grille, 551 E. Grand River Ave., said limiting energy use would not be a big deal, but it would still be nice to keep the air conditioner on.

"We've lowered the (air conditioning) in the past," Argue said. "The only problem is the employees tend to overheat because of the grill in the back."