MEMPHIS, Tenn. —
Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) have lifted an energy conservation alert for the Mid-South amid the winter weather.
MLGW said though the alert has been lifted, customers should continue to drip faucets and protect pipes from freezing.
"Thanks to all our customers who took action to conserve electricity. Together, we navigated the highest all-time peak demand the TVA system has seen," said MLGW in a statement.
MLGW said electric, gas and water systems performed well in the extreme cold. They are continuing to watch for impacts to the water system because of the extended cold period, and said crews will be ready to respond should freezing rain Thursday have any impact.
MLGW and TVA first issued the 'energy conservation alert' at 1 p.m. Tuesday. The alerts ask customers to reduce usage as much as possible during a certain time frame. Doing so can help reduce the likelihood of brownouts and blackouts, according to MLGW.
The TVA, which provides electricity to seven states, reported a record for peak power demand Wednesday morning as the region dropped to an average temperature of 4 degrees (minus 15.5 Celsius). The system hit a preliminary all-time, record peak demand of about 34,500 megawatts, spokesperson Scott Brooks said. The previous TVA all-time record was 33,482 megawatts in August 2007, he said.
Here are some ways to reduce energy usage any time there is an alert.
- Do not use dishwashers, washing machines, or dryers - let any clothes start air drying.
- If possible, do not using the electric range or electric over for cooking during the conservation alert.
- Set thermostats to 68 degrees or lower to avoid unnecessary operation of the blower on furnaces or electric heat pumps.
- Turn off all electric space heaters.
- Unplug electric vehicles.
- Turn off interior lights during the day and keep on only enough light at night to feel safe. Holiday lights, porch lights and indoor lights also count in this regard.
- Don't use blow dryers, toasters, or other high consumption appliances that use electric resistance as their heat source.
- Keep the refrigerator and freezer on, but the doors to these items closed as much as possible because each time the doors are opened, the inside warms up a bit and energy is used to bring the temperature back down.
- Turn off and Unplug everything that isn't in use.
- Turn off electric power strips to cut 'vampire energy use.'
MLGW said they thank the public for helping avoid "more dramatic actions."
For those that need a place to stay warm through the inclement weather, The Hospitality Hub has opened emergency warming centers 24 hours per day through Thursday, Jan. 18. Those who need a ride to the warming center via MATA can contact Hospitality Hub at 901-297-1680 during warming center hours.
Entergy Arkansas is also asking people there to conserve power to prevent an overload. Read more HERE.