Potential Regional Power Shortages

JCREMC Plan for Potential Regional Power Shortages

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), a not-for-profit organization that operates the electric grid from Manitoba, Canada, to the Gulf of Mexico in the middle part of the United States, has warned electric utilities in our region that there could be a shortage of electricity during peak usage times.  

Shortages are most likely to occur on days when extreme heat and humidity cover a substantial portion of our region. If the shortage reaches a critical stage, MISO will implement regional usage curtailments to preserve electric grid integrity.  

With forecasted temperatures in the high 90s throughout the region this week, conscientious electricity use is critical. Please help us reduce load by running your large appliances and charging electric vehicles during off-peak times and bumping up your thermostat a few degrees. Peak times are generally 2-8 p.m. daily. We have a list of ways you can conserve energy at jcremc.com/summer-electric-bills.  

If MISO calls for usage curtailment, we will start with public appeals for voluntary reductions. If voluntary measures do not result in the needed reduction, we will be required to implement rotating power outages.  

JCREMC has emergency operating procedures in place for these scenarios. If needed, rotating outages would last for up to 30 minutes at a time. All JCREMC residential consumers would be impacted, as would electric consumers throughout the region.  

We want to reiterate that our approach will be to implement shorter rotating outages (up to 30 minutes) to minimize the impact on any single consumer. We are not expecting any long-duration outages. 

Please continue to monitor JCREMC’s social media channels (@JCREMC on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram) and website for important information about any electric usage curtailment measures. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are “rotating outages?”

Rotating outages are temporary power outages for a short period of time. If the Midcontinent Independent System Operator declares a load-shed event, JCREMC will implement short-duration outages (up to 30 minutes). JCREMC single-phase consumers may be affected, as would electric consumers at other utilities throughout our region.

How long will my power be out if JCREMC is ever required to reduce load?

Consumers could be without electricity for up to 30 minutes before the strategic outages rotate to the next circuit. This would most likely only occur once in a day; however, in an extreme event, power may go out a few times within a day. If there are multiple outages in a day, they would be spread out a few hours apart.

Someone in my home has a medical condition requiring power. Is it possible to be exempt?

If JCREMC is required to reduce load, it wouldn’t be possible to exempt individual addresses. We highly encourage our consumers with special circumstances to have contingency plans in place for outages. While rotating outages are planned for a short duration (up to 30 minutes), the possibility of outages from other causes, such as weather, accidents, equipment failure, etc., always exists and those outages could potentially be much longer.

Who is MISO?

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) is a not-for-profit organization that operates the electric grid from Manitoba, Canada, to the Gulf of Mexico in the middle part of the United States.

We’ve had hot humid summers before. Why is there a power shortage now?

The answer to this is complex but one of the major factors is a reduction in base load power plants that have the flexibility to scale production up or down based on demand.

Why doesn’t JCREMC produce more power?

JCREMC is a distribution cooperative, meaning we don’t generate or transmit wholesale electricity. We purchase wholesale electricity and deliver it to you through our distribution system. That means we only deliver what electricity is being produced and transmitted to us. Electricity distributers throughout our region share a large power pool. When there is a shortage of power within the region, distribution entities can be required to reduce the amount of electricity they’re distributing.

What can I do to help ease the power shortage?

Conservation is key, especially during the peak hours of 2-8 p.m. This includes closing blinds or curtains, shifting the use of heavy appliances, such as clothes dryers and dishwashers, outside the 2-8 p.m. timeframe, adjusting your thermostat up a few degrees, and cooking with small appliances rather than the oven. Conserving energy not only reduces the strain on electric utilities, but it also helps keep rates low, and could help lower your monthly electric bill. Read more on ways to conserve.