Xcel, electric co-ops issue energy alert, urge immediate conservation

Xcel Energy and a number of electric cooperatives, including South Plains Electric Co-op, are asking customers in the Texas Panhandle and South Plains and Eastern New Mexico to immediately cut back on electric use.

The companies issued an Energy Alert just after 7 p.m. CDT Monday amid scorching temperatures, forecasting electricity demand could exceed supply unless customers conserve. The alert expires at 10 p.m. CDT (9 p.m. MDT) Monday.

“We are making a public appeal to our customers to turn off lights and appliances unless it would harm their health,” said Adrian Rodriguez, president of Xcel Energy for New Mexico and Texas. “We take our responsibility to supply energy to our customers very seriously, and we declared this Energy Alert only after exhausting all other options. Our customers have helped us through similar situations in the past, and we look to them today to help us maintain the integrity of their electricity system.”

Xcel said the companies have already implemented other conservation measures, including bringing all available generation online and interrupting service to certain agricultural and industrial customers.

Electric providers included in the alert are:

• Xcel Energy
• Bailey County Electric Cooperative Association
• Big Country Electric Cooperative, Inc.
• Deaf Smith Electric Cooperative, Inc.
• Greenbelt Electric Cooperative, Inc.
• Lamb County Electric Cooperative, Inc.
• Lighthouse Electric Cooperative, Inc.
• Lyntegar Electric Cooperative, Inc.
• North Plains Electric Cooperative, Inc.
• Rita Blanca Electric Cooperative, Inc.
• South Plains Electric Cooperative, Inc.
• Swisher Electric Cooperative, Inc.
• Central Valley Electric Cooperative
• Farmers Electric Cooperative
• Roosevelt County Electric Cooperative
• Lea County Electric Cooperative

Xcel energy said customers can cut back on power consumption by turning off air conditioning unless doing so would pose a health hazard, refraining from using electric appliances or power tools, and turning off unneeded lights and electronic equipment.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Xcel, electric co-ops issue energy alert, urge immediate conservation