The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, grid operator for most of the state, and the Public Utility Commission of Texas are encouraging consumers and businesses to reduce their electricity use as much as possible today during peak electricity hours from 4 to 7 p.m. due to temperatures higher than forecast. 

• Limit electricity usage to only that consumption which is absolutely necessary. Turn off all unnecessary lights, appliances, and electronic equipment.
• Do not use your dishwasher, laundry equipment, hair dryers, coffee makers, pool pump, or other home appliances between the hours of 3 to 7 p.m.
• Close blinds and drapes on windows that get direct sun, set air conditioning thermostats to 80 degrees, and use fans to circulate the air.
• Use microwaves or outdoor grills for cooking to avoid heating the home.

• Businesses should minimize the use of electric lighting and electricity-consuming equipment as much as possible.
• Large consumers of electricity should consider shutting down or reducing non-essential production processes. 

See more conservation tips at “Powerful Advice,” Public Utility Commission of Texas

www.puc.state.tx.us./ocp/conserve 

BACKGROUND 

Power Watches are issued by the regional electric grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), during periods of high demand when supplies of reserve power are low.  At this stage, ERCOT has emergency measures to bring on additional generation, so rotating outages are not likely.  However, if all sources of supplies are exhausted or large generation outages occur, ERCOT will order utilities to begin reducing load by cutting service through rotating outages. 

ERCOT REGION 

The ERCOT Region includes Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christi, Abilene and the Rio Grande Valley.  It does not include the El Paso area, the Texas Panhandle, Northeast Texas (Longview, Marshall and Texarkana), and Southeast Texas (Beaumont, Port Arthur, and the Woodlands).  Region map: http://www.ercot.com/news/mediakit/maps/index.html 

HELPFUL CONTACTS 

For Utility Information

Check your electric bill to identify your utility company or transmission provider. 

Conservation Tips

http://www.puc.state.tx.us/ocp/conserve/index.cfm 

Investor-Owned Utilities (Transmission & Distribution)

American Electric Power - AEP

CenterPoint Energy

Oncor

Sharyland Utilities

Texas-New Mexico Power  

Community-Owned Electric Utilities

Texas Public Power Association, http://www.tppa.com/ 

Utility Directories

http://www.puc.state.tx.us/electric/directories/index.cfm 

Electric Industry Links

http://www.puc.state.tx.us/electric/links.cfm