Snohomish PUD sees energy use rise and fall with the Super Bowl

EVERETT — The Super Bowl is unlike any other event in America — for advertisers, for guacamole and chip makers, and for Snohomish County Public Utility District.

In the hours before last week’s game, which pitted the Seattle Seahawks against the New England Patriots for the NFL championship, electricity use across the county shot up well above the level for a typical Sunday, according to the PUD.

People were busy in their kitchens, cooking before kick off, and probably had their TVs on for pre-game coverage, said Neil Neroutsos, a spokesman for PUD.

But energy use dropped dramatically after kick off, falling to 20 percent lower than normal levels, he said.

Of course, we all know how the game turned out. With time running short and trailing by four points, the Seahawks’ Jermaine Kearse came up with an improbable catch to keep the Hawks alive. Then, with the ball on the 1 yard line, the Seahawks’ quarterback — and all-around classy guy — Russell Wilson connected with Ricardo Lockette for a game-winning touchdown.

Well, no. The Pats intercepted and clinched the game.

Except for energy spikes during extreme weather, the PUD doesn’t see energy patterns like it does during the Super Bowl, Neroutsos said.

Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dcatchpole.