Extreme cold temperatures have led to a Peak Conservation Alert by our generation provider.
KEARNEY, Mo. — Associated Electric Cooperative, the wholesale power generator for Platte-Clay Electric, your local electric cooperative, has issued a Conservative Operations Alert lasting through 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb 21.
Extreme cold temperatures throughout Associated’s footprint is projected to lead to a new all-time system peak of about 6,000 megawatts on Thursday morning, Feb. 20. The current all-time peak is 5,899 megawatts set Dec. 23, 2022.
Conservative Operations Alert status is one of the earliest stages of Associated’s multi-stage notification plan. This status allows for Associated to prepare and position the system to be ready if the situation escalates as the cold weather continues and energy load increases. Regional transmission organizations around Associated’s service area have issued similar notifications.
Associated is asking member systems to request voluntary member conservation efforts on Thursday, Feb. 20, from 6 a.m. through 10 a.m. Voluntary conservation across Associated’s footprint may improve the overall energy picture for the cooperative system by helping slow the escalation of energy demand.
“Associated is well-positioned to meet our consumer-member demand at this time, but small consumption changes across the entire Missouri rural cooperative system can have a big impact on reducing the peak demand during this sustained weather event,” said Dave Deihl, Platte-Clay Electric CEO/General Manager. “Conservation efforts over the next day can also help members lower their bills by reducing their demand.”
Members can do several things to help conserve energy during this time –
- Limit the use of other appliances such as laundry or running a dishwasher.
- Use smaller kitchen appliances like toaster ovens, microwaves, slow-cookers, etc. to make meals rather than relying on your range or oven.
- Turn down your thermostat a few degrees and use a blanket or warm clothing to help conserve and stay warm.
- Turn off and unplug space heaters you don’t need to use. Be mindful of the amount of time you utilize a space heater and reduce it, if possible.
- Keep fireplace dampers closed when not in use.
- Unplug/turn off unused electronics, chargers, and lights.
About Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative
Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative (PCEC) serves more than 26,500 accounts and nearly 3,100 miles of energized line in Buchanan, Caldwell, Clay, Clinton, DeKalb, Platte, and Ray Counties, just north of metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri. PCEC was established in 1938 as part of the Rural Electrification Act, and today PCEC is among the fastest-growing cooperatives in the state of Missouri.
###