Texans asked to conserve energy as temperatures approach records

Texans are being asked to conserve energy through Friday as temperatures in the state climb, approaching record levels.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issued a news release on Monday urging Texans to “reduce electric use as much as possible” through the end of the work week.

“A significant number of forced generation outages combined with potential record electric use for the month of June has resulted in tight grid conditions,” ERCOT wrote.

ERCOT recommended that Texans take “simple actions to help reduce electric use,” including setting thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, turning off lights and pool pumps, and avoiding using large appliances such as ovens, washing machines and dryers.

“If you don’t need something — we are asking you to turn it off and unplug if possible,” ERCOT wrote.

According to ABC13, officials are basing the tight grid conditions on a notable number of forced generation outages as well as the potential for record electric use this month.

Data from ERCOT shows that electric demand is expected to exceed supply on Monday afternoon as temperatures rise into triple digits throughout the state, according to WFAA.

“We will be conducting a thorough analysis with generation owners to determine why so many units are out of service,” ERCOT’s vice president of grid planning and operations, Woody Rickerson, said in a statement.

He added that the situation is “unusual for this early in the summer season.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed two bills last week aimed at improving the operation and oversight of the state’s power grid, after receiving broad criticism over the handling of a deadly winter storm this year.

One of the pieces of legislation would require the weatherization of power generation facilities, natural gas facilities and transmission facilities to be better prepared for severe weather, and it would mandate that ERCOT inspect the facilities, with fines of up to $1 million for failure to properly weatherize them.