ROLLING POWER OUTAGES COULD CONTINUE THROUGH TUESDAY
BLUEBONNET ELECTRIC, CITY OF BRENHAM ADDRESS OUTAGES
Thousands of residents continue to deal with power outages amid high electric demand and freezing temperatures.
Several times on Monday, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) increase the amount of energy that utilities in its region are required to shed through statewide rotating outages. Officials with Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and the City of Brenham say mandatory rotating outages could be required through today (Tuesday).
In a statement posted on social media, Bluebonnet said it is operating in compliance with ERCOT requirements to reduce power load by an amount determined by ERCOT. According to Bluebonnet, ERCOT rules set the criteria for which electric feeders – sections of power lines that can run for dozens of miles – Bluebonnet can include in emergency rotating outages.
Bluebonnet says ERCOT only orders utilities to initiate these rotating outages to prevent uncontrollable outages that could severely impact the state’s electric grid.
Bluebonnet feeders are in one of two emergency load-reduction programs: timed rotating outages, or outages of indefinite length and frequency to stabilize the electric grid.
According to Bluebonnet, feeders that power critical facilities, like hospitals or emergency services departments, and critical infrastructure, such as natural gas pipelines and storage that provide fuel to power plants, are excluded from emergency-load reduction programs.
The City of Brenham also addressed the rolling outages instituted by ERCOT, saying controlled outages related to grid supply and demand have been significantly extended due to current emergency grid conditions and the severe cold weather. The city said it does not know when power generation plants will come back online and power will be restored, and customers should be prepared to be without power for an extended period of time.
Bluebonnet members can report outages by calling 800-949-4414, by visiting www.bluebonnet.coop, or by using the co-op’s mobile app. Customers whose energy provider is the City of Brenham and whose power has been out for more than three hours can report the outage by calling 979-337-7400.