Area energy cooperatives issue peak alert for Tuesday

(ABC 6 News) – Due to high demand on the regional electrical grid, cooperative members are urged to reduce electrical usage.

Freeborn-Mower Electric Cooperative (Albert Lea), MiEnergy Cooperative (Rushford), People’s Energy Cooperative (Oronoco), and Heartland Power Cooperative (St. Ansgar) have issued a peak energy alert from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, and Austin Utilities (Austin) has issued a peak alert until 8:00 p.m. due to high demand on the regional electrical grid, cooperative members are urged to reduce electrical usage.

Members enrolled in the Dual Fuel or Water Heater Energy Management Programs will be affected from approximately 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. this evening.

Members can conserve electricity during this peak alert period by setting their air conditioning to at least 75o, higher if no one is home; running the dishwasher or doing laundry later in the evening; using a microwave instead of the oven to cook; and refraining from turning on televisions or gaming systems. Each seemingly small action can collectively make a big difference in the demand made on the electric grid.