Evergy asks customers to conserve electricity

Evergy customers are being asked to conserve electricity as much as possible this week as the region experiences record-low temperatures.

According to a news release, the Southwest Power Pool, which coordinates the 17-state regional power supply, advises that the region’s coldest weather in decades is creating a high demand for electricity. At the same time, the extreme weather is driving high demand for natural gas used to heat homes and businesses, straining the gas supply available to generate electricity, and icy conditions have made the availability of wind generation uncertain. The SPP has asked all utilities in the region to encourage customers to reduce electricity usage through Wednesday, Feb. 16 to maintain electricity supply overall and avoid potential power outages.

The news release offered the following recommendations to help conserve electricity: 

• Turn thermostats a little cooler (65-68 degrees) and avoid the use of electric space heaters.
• Close blinds and shades to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows.
• Change or clean filters on furnaces.
• Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances in your home.
• When possible, use large appliances (clothes washers, dryers and dishwashers) between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
• Reduce air leaks that let cold air in by sealing around doors and windows with weatherstripping or caulk and inserting foam gaskets on electrical switches and outlets.
• Businesses should reduce the use of electric lighting and electricity-consuming equipment as much as possible.
• Large consumers of electricity should consider shutting down or reducing non-essential processes.

The SPP has also asked member electric utilities, including Evergy, to implement controlled, temporary emergency electricity reductions to help avoid larger uncontrolled and extended power outages throughout the region. 

According to a news release issued Monday, Feb. 15, beginning at 12:15 p.m. Feb. 15, Evergy will begin to turn off electricity to blocks of customers for approximately 30 to 60 minutes. Once the period has concluded, power will be restored to the impacted area. The emergency outages will then rotate to another portion of Evergy’s service area. Power will cycle off and on periodically until the reduction is no longer required by the SPP. Evergy posted on its website Monday evening, “at this time, Evergy is NOT implementing controlled, temporary emergency electricity reductions.” More controlled outages are expected in the next few days.

Pettis County Eastern Commissioner Israel Baeza posted on his Facebook page around 1:30 p.m. Feb. 15 to warn residents of the potential power interruptions. According to Baeza, he did not know what schedule Evergy was using for Pettis County but that he was aware of short outages in various parts of Sedalia and Pettis County.

Customers should not report their emergency electricity reduction but anyone who experiences an outage that lasts longer than an hour should report the outage at www.evergy.com or call 888-544-4852.

The news release states Evergy began preparing for the extreme weather early last week by planning for additional fuel needs and increasing 24/7 staffing levels. Evergy has reduced electricity use at its facilities, implemented cold-weather procedures, and adapted operations at its power plants to keep equipment working and fuel available to generate electricity for customers.