NEW LONDON — Record-setting low temperatures this week are expected to result in an extremely high demand for electricity.
Buckeye Power, Firelands Electric Cooperative’s power supplier, along with other electric providers across the state and region, are encouraging consumers to conserve energy during the cold snap, according to a press release.
“During extremely cold weather, please help lower demand by reducing your use of electricity wherever you safely can,” said Andrea Gravenhorst, Firelands Electric’s director of communications and IT.
Andrea Gravenhorst
Gravenhorst suggests avoiding the use of major appliances during high-demand times, generally between 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and adjusting heating thermostats by four degrees to help reduce the demand for electricity during peak periods.
Other recommendations include closing draperies and window blinds to reduce energy loss, turning off unneeded lights and appliances, and postponing laundry, dishwashing and showering.
Ohio is part of the PJM Interconnection region, the nation’s largest electric transmission grid operator, which coordinates the movement of electricity through 13 states.
Rolling blackouts are possible
Rolling blackouts, also known as planned, controlled outages, may be implemented to prevent widespread uncontrolled power outages. Those outages would be directed by PJM Interconnection’s electrical grid manager, not local electric cooperatives or utility companies.
Firelands Electric Cooperative is asking members-consumers to safely conserve energy and be prepared for alerts on the co-op’s website or Facebook page during extreme temperatures.
Winter puts additional stress on an already-strained electricity grid, and if an alert is issued by PJM, everyone should be prepared to take action to stay safe and warm.
By taking these measures, consumers can help rebalance the system and prevent possible rolling outages or blackouts.
For more information and updates, visit firelandsec.com or the Firelands Electric Facebook page.
This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Firelands Electric Cooperative asks consumers to conserve energy