Persistent cold wave, tight electricity supplies prompt utilities to renew conservation request

MINNEAPOLIS – Continuing frigid temperatures and tight electricity supplies in the nation’s mid-section today prompted several major utilities serving customers in Minnesota and neighboring states to again ask customers to turn off unneeded lights and computers and to postpone using washers, dryers and dishwashers until after 8 p.m.

“Our conservation request Monday resulted in a noticeable decrease in electricity demand during our peak in the late afternoon and early evening,” said Dave Sparby, acting president and CEO of Northern States Power Co.-Minnesota, an Xcel Energy company.  “Our customers’ efforts are helping us maintain the integrity of the power grid, and we look to them to continue conserving electricity as this Arctic air mass lingers in the Upper Midwest region.”

Joining Xcel Energy in the conservation call were Great River Energy and its member cooperatives, Minnesota Power and Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency and its 18 municipal utility members.

Said Jon Brekke, Great River Energy’s vice president of member services: “Although we’re not facing an emergency, it’s important for consumers to remember that simple things like adjusting their thermostats and turning off unnecessary appliances can help maintain system reliability.

“Participating in our co-op load management programs, such as the dual fuel heating and off-peak water heating programs, also plays a significant role on these cold days,” Brekke added.

The utilities asked customers to help avoid an electricity shortage by:
•Turning off lights and appliances that are not essential to health and safety.
•Turning off computers and other electrical equipment when not in use.
•Setting the thermostat to 68 degrees or below when at home.
•Turning down the thermostat to 64 degrees before leaving home.
•Using major appliances after 8 p.m., when electricity demand is lower.

In the Upper Midwest, Xcel Energy serves nearly 1.6 million electricity customers in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Great River Energy’s 28 member cooperatives serve more than 600,000 customers in Minnesota. Minnesota Power serves 135,000 retail customers and 16 municipalities in northeastern Minnesota. Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency and its municipal utility members serve 106,000 customers.

Contact:
Xcel Energy Media Relations (612) 215-5300
Great River Energy: Therese LaCanne (763) 241-2280
Minnesota Power: Eric Olson (218) 393-0855
Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency: Dan Hayes (507) 292-6444