The risk of rolling power outages is again waning for the moment.
Evergy, 4 Rivers and other utilities across Kansas were on standby Wednesday morning and evening as the Southwest Power Pool spent much of the day in Energy Emergency Level 2 mode. With energy conditions returning to Level 1 late Wednesday night, the utilities are still urging energy conservation as weather conditions in Oklahoma and Texas have not yet allowed natural gas production and distribution. Power Pool President and CEO Barbara Sugg says the outages across Kansas and other states have been needed to protect the power grid across the central third of the United States.
A major question now is when things will return to normal in Oklahoma and Texas so things can get back to normal across the Power Pool’s coverage area. Power Pool Chief Operating Officer Lanny Nickell says the end is in sight, and he thanked energy customers across the grid for conserving energy.
Nickell believes the need for short-term outages may be done by Friday at the latest.
Energy conservation tips
*Turn thermostats down to 65-68 degrees
*Avoid use of space heaters
*Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances
*Delay non-essential use of energy from washing dishes, drying clothes or bathing to non-peak hours between 10 pm to 5 am
*Use low-temperature cooking methods
