As winter weather intensifies in Arkansas, local electric cooperatives are urging members to curtail usage of electricity due to limited electrical supply.
The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas announced that electrical demand has “nearly exceeded the capacity” due to cold weather and the “unusually high requirement” for electricity that the cooperatives and other utilities are facing. The utility requested that members begin limiting electrical usage immediately and continue through midnight on Tuesday, Feb. 16.
Arkansas’ electric providers, the utility said, are strained due to the region-wide weather challenges. While electric systems can normally secure electricity from nearby systems, the extreme conditions affecting the region preclude this.
Currently, there are winter storm warnings across Arkansas. In Pulaski County, the temperature is 12 degrees as of 11:30 a.m. on Monday. The low for Monday is projected to be nine degress.
Specifically, Electric Cooperatives officials suggested reducing the use of electric water heaters, clothes dryers and dishwashers, as well as turning heating thermostats to lower temperatures.
While these actions are voluntary, the cooperatives warned that it could be necessary to interrupt electric service for limited time periods if demand continues. However, the utility emphasized that officials do not currently expect that these interruptions will be necessary at the moment.
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