Power Grid Operator Asks You to Conserve Power Now

The company that manages the power grid serving Chester County and 61 million homes in a huge section of the U.S. is asking people to conserve electricity immediately wherever possible.

The bitter cold is putting a strain on the system and PJM, the company that operates the power grid that supplies PECO says there is an urgent need to turn off any non-essential devices that use electricity.  The grid operator is also asking people to turn down thermostats wherever possible.

The following is the statement distributed by Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency through local governments in the region.

PJM Interconnection, the electricity grid operator for more than 61 million people in 13 states and the District of Columbia, is requesting the public to conserve electricity on Tuesday. The call for conservation is prompted by the continuing frigid weather.

The request is being made throughout the region served by PJM.

Demand for electricity is expected to increase because of the extremely cold weather. PJM asks consumers to conserve electricity, if health permits – especially from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Electricity customers can take simple electricity conservation steps:

·         Set thermostats lower than usual, if health permits,

·         Postpone using major electric appliances such as stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers until

mid‐day or after 9 p.m., when the demand for electricity decreases, and

·         Turn off electric lights and appliances that you do not need or are not using.

Conserving electricity on Tuesday will help ensure adequate power supplies. PJM continues to carefully monitor the power supply conditions. It will do everything possible to keep power flowing in the region. If necessary, PJM will take additional steps, such as reducing voltage.

PJM is communicating about the situation with state government officials and regional reliability authorities throughout the region. PJM’s region includes all or parts of Delaware, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. PJM is coordinating efforts among generators, power suppliers and local utilities.