UPDATE: Energy Emergency, Feb. 16, 2021 | News

UPDATE: Energy Emergency, Feb. 16, 2021

February 16, 2021

The Southwest Power Pool, which is the regional transmission operator for a 14-state region, issued a second Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) Level 3 at 6:45 a.m., Feb. 16. An EEA3 is the highest of three levels of energy emergency alert and signals that SPP's operating reserves are below the required minimum.

The SPP has asjed member utilities to curtail energy use through controlled interruptions of service. As ordered by SPP, Midwest Energy will begin mandatory interruptions of service to non-critical facilities on a rotational basis, with each rotation lasting no more than two hours. Many of these interruptions would involve non-critical facilities, including oil field service and commercial loads, though some rural residential customers could also be affected.  These circuits include: Oil field load in Ellis, Russell, Barton and Ness County, and various commercial loads (these have been coordinated directly with the affected businesses).

To further reduce loads, Midwest Energy is again asking customers whose health permits to turn thermostats down, and to not use appliances with heavy energy consumption, continuing through mid-week. A few specific actions customers can take include: 

The record-breaking cold is also putting a significant strain on natural gas supplies. The cold weather is freezing off natural gas production, making less gas available for delivery to customers. Some pipelines are imposing cuts on the amount of gas available to customers, so Midwest Energy is asking its natural gas customers to conserve gas as well. We sincerely appreciate everyone’s efforts at conservation.