BPUB Asks for Voluntary Conservation
The Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB) announces that electrical conservation is being requested by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) starting today between 6-9 p.m. due to high demand throughout Texas due to a high level of unexpected thermal generation outages and forecasted low wind generation.
ERCOT is a pivotal organization responsible for ensuring the secure and reliable operation of the electric grid in Texas.
ERCOT advised BPUB that it is not experiencing emergency conditions, but the current forecasts are showing a potential to enter emergency operations this evening because of a high level of unexpected thermal generation outages and forecasted low wind generation. This call for voluntary conservation is being used to help lower demand during a specific peak demand time – in this case, 6-9 p.m. ERCOT says it is using reserve power, asking large electric customers to reduce usage, and bringing more generation online sooner to ensure electric supply meets the state’s demands.
Here are some ways that customers can conserve electricity:
- Turn up thermostats on air conditioning units a couple of degrees.
- Turn off and unplug non-essential lights and appliances.
- Avoid running large appliances such as washers, dryers and electric ovens during peak energy demand hours (6-9 p.m.).
More information is available on the BPUB website at www.brownsville-pub.com, and social media. To report an outage, please use the BPUB app located at https://assist.brownsville-pub.com.