Omaha Public Power District asks customers to conserve energy due to the extremely cold weather we are experiencing now and over the next couple of days.
The bitter cold temperatures have increased demand for energy across the Plains region, even south into Texas and Oklahoma. Much as it does in summer, high demand can put additional strain on our system. We are seeing similar effects now, only this time with record cold instead of heat.
“These prolonged, frigid temperatures are increasing demand for energy across our service territory and for our partner utilities,” said Tim Burke, President and CEO of OPPD. “As they do every day, OPPD employees are working hard, day and night, behind the scenes to keep power flowing to our customers.”
The Southwest Power Pool (SPP), the regional transmission organization who oversees the power grid for its members – of which OPPD is one – is asking all member organizations to begin energy conservation measures by 11:59 p.m., Sunday. SPP declared an Energy Emergency Alert as record cold conditions across the region, and is seeking help from its member organizations to balance what is currently peak demand for winter months.
Such conservation measures are expected to take place for the next few days as Arctic cold continues across the region.
Customers can help by taking steps to reduce our service territory’s peak energy load and help balance supply and demand in the energy market.
For more energy conservation information, including guidance on reducing energy for each room in your home, to an energy usage calculator, and other tips, visit oppd.com. There, you will also find a video library to walk you through ways to make your home more energy efficient, step by step.
Communication about weather alerts and warnings can be found at www.stormandoutage.com.
Jodi Baker writes stories and shoots videos for The Wire. Jodi was a television news reporter before she came to work for OPPD as a media specialist in 2013. Jodi earned her degree in broadcasting from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She's worked for news stations from her hometown of Omaha to sunny San Diego. She’s married with two bright and energetic children (a boy and a girl) and an allergy-ridden little Cairn Terrier. She and her husband enjoy catching up on some grown-up DVR time once the kiddos are asleep.
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