By Scott Carlson-NP Post
Tom Kent, President & CEO, held a media conference this morning to address the current power interruption event impacting customers due to the cold weather. Tom addresses why this has happened, what NPPD is doing to keep the power and furnaces on for its customers and for Nebraskans, and what to expect in the next 48 hours. Please take a listen and we will work to keep you updated in the upcoming hours.
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Update from NPPD February 16 2:30 pm
At this time, SPP has notified our system operators that we can stop the rolling 45-minute service interruptions to our customers. Our teammates are working diligently to restore power to all those impacted. Again, due to the cold weather, there might be issues with some equipment. Our lineworkers will address them on site. If you are still without power, please call 877-ASK-NPPD if you are an NPPD customer, or contact your local public power provider.
PLEASE NOTE, we are likely to see outages again tonight and possibly into tomorrow. So please plan for possible outages lasting 45 minutes or longer. Please continue to take all reasonable steps to conserve energy use. We will continue to provide updates as conditions evolve.
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Update February 16 11:15 a.m.
Nebraska's two largest utilities, Omaha Public Power District and the Nebraska Public Power District say expected rolling outrages were completed by mid-morning.
The need for more rolling outages may be possible over the next couple of days.
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Update from NPPD February 16 6:50 a.m.
To maintain system reliability, we have just been informed by SPP that we need to do emergency coordinated interruptions of service.
These 30-minute interruptions of service occur in real-time, so we have very little, if any, notice as to where these interruptions will take place. This is done to prevent longer, uncontrolled outages.
If you experience a controlled outage, it should only last approximately 30 minutes.
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Update from NPPD February 15 7:11 p.m.
SPP’s service area unexpectedly lost some generating units earlier today, which caused them to declare an energy emergency. SPP directed power utilities in 14 states to share in an effort to shed load (interrupt service to customers) due to lack of electricity to meet demand because of the cold temperatures.
NPPD’s first priority is to keep the electricity flowing for our customers and ensure the integrity and reliability of the region’s electric grid. We coordinated rolling, 30-minute outages impacting a few communities to keep the event from cascading and affecting more communities and customers. Our operators plan and prepare for events like this.
However, we get very little notice. We take immediate action to keep the lights and furnaces on for as many Nebraskans as we can.
What we can tell you is this. Things are OK now. But as temps drop later tonight and as people start their day in the morning, there is still the potential for service interruptions.
You can help your family, friends, and neighbors by conserving electricity these next few days and staying prepared. And if power is interrupted, trust we will get power restored as quickly as possible for YOU, our friends, families, and neighbors.Stay warm. Stay safe. And thanks for your patience.
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As more than half of the country finds itself under wind chill warnings and record low temperatures, the strain on the national electric grid is nearing unprecedented levels, forcing coordinated rolling blackouts to conserve energy.
The Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) is a member of the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), a non-profit regional transmission organization in the central part of the United States. SPP is mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure customers in the region receive reliable power, adequate transmission infrastructure, and competitively priced electricity. SPP and its members coordinate the flow of electricity across more than 65,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines spanning 14 states.
According to NPPD, the SPP declared an Energy Emergency Alert Level 3 which means they were directed to do emergency coordinated interruptions of service which resulted in rolling, 30-minute outages across parts of their service territory to maintain system reliability.
For the time being, SPP has paused these outages but may need to enforce them again. Due to these interruptions occurring in real-time, NPPD receives very little, if any, notice as to when these interruptions will take place over the next few days. Please continue to conserve energy and charge your cell phones, electric devices, and home medical devices.
Utilities across the nation are asking customers to voluntarily reduce the use of power.
Some ways you can help are:
• Turn down thermostats to 68 degrees and lower at night.
• Close shades and blinds.
• Turn off and unplug non-essential lights and appliances.
• Close the fireplace damper when not in use.
• Avoid using large appliances
• Business should minimize the use of electric lighting and electricity-consuming equipment as much as possible.
• Do not connect a generator to your home's electrical system. Consult a licensed electrician.
• Do not use any grilling equipment for heat indoors
Follow NPPD's Facebook page for updates.