At the request of the Southwest Power Pool, the Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Public Utilities is asking customers to conserve electricity use as much as possible through Wednesday, Feb. 17.
The SPP, which coordinates the 17-state regional power supply, advises that the region’s coldest weather in decades is creating high demand for electricity.
At the same time, the extreme weather is driving high demand for natural gas used to heat homes and businesses, straining the gas supply available to generate electricity, and icy conditions have made availability of wind generation uncertain.
The SPP has advised that the unprecedented low temperatures across a widespread region creates the potential for electricity shortages and has asked all utilities in the region to encourage customers to reduce electricity usage in order to maintain electricity supply overall and avoid potential power outages.
According to the BPU outage map, there were 1,109 customers without power at noon Feb. 15.
“Everybody must do their part to save electricity the next few days and this in turn will help us make sure the power supply continues to best serve the region’s needs,” said David Mehlhaff, BPU chief communications officer. All customers can help, and can lower their bills, by taking the following steps, if they can do so safely:
• Turn thermostats a little cooler (65-68 degrees). Avoid the use of electric space heaters.
• Close blinds and shades to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows.
• Change or clean filters on furnaces.
• Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances in your home.
• When possible, use large appliances (clothes washers, dryers and dishwashers) between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
• Reduce air leaks that let cold air in by sealing around doors and windows with weather-stripping or caulk and inserting foam gaskets on electrical switches and outlets.
• Businesses should reduce 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 processes.
BPU is a member of the Southwest Power Pool, which coordinates the regional transmission grid and wholesale energy markets for the central United States, including Kansas and Missouri. The SPP monitors power flow through its footprint and coordinates regional response in emergency situations.
Thermostat reset to 70 from 74
We are an old couple
We have turned down heat, put blankets on floor by doors, all lights off except when absolutely necessary, must keep my work computer on but personal computer is now off. All window covers pulled shut except 1.