Alert: Conserve Electric Use

UPDATED AT 10:02 A.M.:

ERCOT has cancelled its Emergency Energy Alerts for Jan. 6, but customers are still encouraged to conserve electric use.

For details and conservation tips, please visit http://www.ercot.com/news/press_releases/show/26570

UPDATED AT 9:58 A.M.:

ERCOT reports improving conditions, but encourages customers to conserve electric use.

For details and conservation tips, please visit http://www.ercot.com/news/press_releases/show/26570

AUSTIN, TX, Jan. 6, 2013. – With cold temperatures and high electric use this morning, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has announced an Energy Emergency Alert and has implemented the first two stages of its steps to protect the grid. ERCOT is asking customers to reduce electric use and conserve energy to prevent widespread outages.

“We have brought on all available electric generation and have deployed all demand response programs that have contracted with ERCOT to reduce electric use in emergency situations,” said Dan Woodfin, ERCOT director of System Operations. “Conditions appear to be improving at this time, and we do not expect to implement rotating outages this morning.”

Here are some ways to help until operating reserves are restored to target levels:

• Keep your thermostat as low as is comfortable, preferably no higher than 68 degrees.
• Turn off and unplug non-essential lights and appliances.
• Avoid running large appliances such as washers, dryers and electric ovens during peak energy demand hours (6-9 a.m. and 4-8 p.m.).
• Close shades and blinds at night to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows.
• Businesses should minimize the use of electric lighting and electricity-consuming equipment as much as possible.
• Large consumers of electricity should consider shutting down or reducing non-essential production processes.

See more conservation tips at Power to Save Texas, Public Utility Commission of Texas: http://www.powertosavetexas.org/. Power Warnings are issued by the regional electric grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), when there is a likelihood that rotating outages will be needed to reduce load .