AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Xcel Energy has declared an Energy Alert for today in its Texas and New Mexico service areas. The company is urging customers to cut back on their use of electricity. The alert is in effect until 7p.m. Wednesday evening.
Wes Reeves with Xcel Energy says they are expecting the electric load to be higher today, and their wind generation may come in lower than on Tuesday. He adds that if customers can reduce demand then it should help them get through the day just fine.
Xcel declares an Energy Alert only when a reduction in electricity use is urgently needed to maintain the electricity system and continue service to its customers.
"We are making a public appeal to our customers to turn off lights and appliances unless it would harm their health," said Riley Hill, president and CEO of Southwestern Public Service Company, an Xcel Energy company.
Elderly people or people who have health concerns should not turn off their air conditioners.
The electric company forecasts indicate that unless customers cut back on use, electricity demand will exceed the amount the company can supply from its power plants. If electricity isn't reduced it could result in controlled outages within the region.
Suggestions on how to reduce energy use include:
• Either turn off air conditioning or increase your thermostat setting to 85 degrees, slowly lowering the setting after 7 p.m. to a more comfortable setting. This does not apply to customers who depend on air conditioning for health reasons.
• Put off household chores that involve electrical appliances until after 7 p.m. (dishwashers, washing machines, clothes dryers, vacuum cleaners, etc.)
• Put off tasks at work, if possible, that would demand electricity (power tools, maintenance equipment, etc.).
• Turn off televisions and electronic equipment unless they are necessary to conduct business or to ensure your health and safety.
• Turn off unnecessary lighting, leaving on only enough to move about safely indoors.
Excel officials say the Energy Alert was declared only after all other efforts to reduce demand or to increase supply have been implemented.
Those include:
• Bringing on line as many power plant generating units as possible and buying as much electricity as possible from other utilities.
• Reducing electricity use as much as possible at Xcel Energy power plants and office buildings.
• Interrupting power to industrial and agricultural customers who signed up for lower interruptible rates.
• Asking other commercial and industrial customers to curtail their energy use.
