HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The operator of the mid-Atlantic electricity grid for 65 million people is asking for people to conserve electricity into Christmas morning, warning of rolling blackouts because power plants are having difficulty operating within the freezing cold.
Pennsylvania-based PJM Interconnection issued the emergency call for conservation system-wide across its 13 state footprint, including Pennsylvania, and said it’s in contact with state government officials throughout the region.
PJM asked electricity customers to set thermostats lower than usual, if health permits; postpone use of major electric appliances equivalent to stoves, dishwashers and garments dryers; and switch off non-essential electric lights, equipment and appliances.
Industrial and industrial power users have also been asked to in the reduction of.
PJM officials said simultaneous increased demand across its electric system got here as some power plants are having difficulty operating in the intense cold. They warned of rolling blackouts and said they wanted people to be prepared.
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“It’ll be short-lived, we’ll do every thing we will to forestall it, however it is an actual possibility,” said Mike Bryson, PJM’s senior vice chairman for operations.
The blinding blizzards, freezing rain and frigid cold that enveloped much of the US knocked out power to an estimated 1.7 million households and businesses. Utilities in Pennsylvania were reporting greater than 25,000 outages across the state Saturday morning.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission repeated PJM’s call for electricity conservation and said people should keep garage doors, doors and windows closed as much as possible, close curtains or blinds to maintain heat in and switch down the warmth in unused rooms. People were asked to cut back use of electricity if health permits from early Saturday to 10 a.m. on Christmas morning.
PJM territory covers all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Latest Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C.
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