But thanks to voluntary cutbacks by customers, the pool restored normal service by the evening.

Norway is not an OPEC member, but last year it introduced voluntary cutbacks in support of the organization's efforts to raise oil prices.

Since its peak payroll of 407,000 employees in 1986, I.B.M. has gone through a series of voluntary cutbacks.

In doing so, it asked some of its largest customers to cut back power usage, but no general request was made for voluntary cutbacks by homeowners and businesses.

Campaign for Cutbacks More immediately, Tokyo's municipal government has begun a campaign for voluntary cutbacks in water use in public baths and carwash stations.

In other cases, he said, the declines appeared to be caused by voluntary cutbacks or economic changes that reduced industrial reliance on the dangerous chemicals.

If the level falls to 1.05 billion gallons, he said, he will ask for voluntary cutbacks.

"The voluntary cutback in private-sector borrowing has saved the day for the United States."

Those industries would be encouraged to make voluntary cutbacks to curb unnecessary use of energy and to develop alternative energy sources that do not produce as much carbon dioxide.

The Digital Equipment Corporation, which has been slashing its work force, announced another round of voluntary cutbacks and said its overall payroll should be reduced by 2,000 employees by July.