Month: February 2021

BPU announces rolling power outages

The Board of Public Utilities has announced rolling power outages beginning today, according to a news release.

The BPU began to turn off electricity to customers at 12:10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, according to the news release.

Power was off to blocks of customers for about 40 minutes. After that, another block of customers is selected and power may cycle off, according to the BPU’s news release. This will rotate until the reduction is no longer required by the Southwest Power Pool, according to the BPU.

The power outages were requested by the Southwest Power Pool, according to the BPU. Extreme, extended temperatures have affected the regional power supply. The shorter, controlled outages are intended to avoid larger, uncontrolled and extended power outages throughout the region, according to the news release.

Those who are affected by the temporary rolling blackouts do not have to report the outages, according to the BPU. Instead, they can check the BPU’s outage map at http://outage.bpu.com for more information. All customers should be prepared for the potential for the periodic outages, a spokesman stated.

Anyone experiencing an outage lasting longer than 40 minutes may report the outage to www.bpu.com or call 913-573-9522.

There were 167 customers without power around 5 p.m. Monday, according to the BPU outage map.

KCK schools on ‘Plan E’ for Tuesday; district buildings closed

The Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools are going to Plan E of the school district’s inclement weather plan on Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Originally the school district had stated it would go to Plan D, but the district changed to Plan E after the request from utilities and the state government to conserve electricity during the record-setting cold temperatures.

According to an announcement on the district’s website at https://kckps.org/february-16-plan-e/, Plan E means no remote work, teaching or learning. All Kansas City, Kansas, Public School campuses, district offices and the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library branches are fully closed, according to the announcement.

It also includes no bus transportation or curbside meal pickup or delivery services, the district stated in the announcement.

Essential workers may be on call and should report to their immediate supervisors to seek guidance on when to report to work, according to the announcement.

Future updates will be on the district’s website and social media pages.