Power outages due to frigid temperatures

Cold temperatures across the area last week placed additional demands on the power system, and Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative and the Tennessee Valley Authority worked hard to ensure you remained safe and warm.

Emergency conditions on the TVA power system reduced the amount of power available to electric power consumers and resulted in the need for TVA to initiate rotating interruptions—alternately interrupting and restoring electricity to portions of service areas at periodic intervals on Christmas Eve.

Power system officials initiated these unprecedented measures because of a power shortage emergency caused by the frigid temperatures.

TVA and MLEC follow a detailed plan to reduce energy consumption during periods of high demand. Under most circumstances, they are able to do so without having to interrupt power to their consumers. Unfortunately, that was not the case this time.

Reducing energy demand in a systematic, planned way helps to keep the power grid stable and prevents longer, widespread power outages. Individual power distributors follow plans designed for their systems so interruptions will not be the same for all.

Local power companies like MLEC had blackout areas for short periods of time. MLEC’s plan involved dropping breakers in each substation for approximately an hour at a time.

TVA used all available resources, including the purchase of available power from neighboring utilities, and crews from TVA and local power companies worked around the clock to restore full electric service to all areas as quickly as possible.

Residents can help reduce their future power bills – and help ensure continued reliable power for the area – by taking a few simple actions:

• Turning thermostats down just a degree or two makes a big difference. For every degree below 68 degrees, the savings could be as much as three percent of your future power bills.

• Delay using large appliances like dishwashers, washing machines and electric dryers during peak demand periods – typically between 6 and 9 o’clock in the evening and morning hours.

• If the weather is sunny, open your window coverings on the sunny side of the house to let nature’s heat help keep you comfortable. Keep the window coverings closed on shaded sides to help add insulation to keep the heat indoors.

Additional energy saving tips for keeping your house comfortable and lowering power bills all year long can be found at http://www.mlec.com/ways-to-save.

During temperature extremes, don’t forget to check on relatives, friends and neighbors to ensure their safety. Pets and livestock will also need a helping hand to remain safe.

MLEC is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric utility that serves more than 34,500 meters in Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Lewis and Perry counties.