AEP Texas is joining with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) in asking electric consumers to reduce electric use from 4:30 p.m. today through 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8.

Although ERCOT was able to cancel an earlier Conservation Alert issued throughout its entire grid, which includes approximately 80 percent of the state, concerns have re-emerged about limits to the system’s ability to import power into the Valley region.

“We are projecting higher than normal usage of electricity Friday night and Saturday morning due to the lingering cold temperatures,” said Tom Coad, AEP Texas manager of distribution systems for the Rio Grande Valley. “This higher usage, in turn, can strain the electric transmission and distribution system and lead to possible load shedding if demand outstrips our capability to meet that demand,” he said.

Consumers can help ensure the system is able to continue serving current power needs by taking the following steps to reduce demand on the system tonight and tomorrow morning:

• Keep your thermostat as low as is comfortable, preferably no higher than 68 degrees.
• Turn off and unplug non-essential lights and appliances.
• Avoid running large appliances such as washers, dryers and electric ovens.
• Close shades and blinds at night to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows.
• Large consumers of electricity should consider shutting down or reducing non-essential production processes.
• Businesses should minimize the use of electric lighting and electricity-consuming equipment as much as possible.

“We were very pleased with the response from consumers earlier this week,” said Coad, “and things should not be any different in this case. If everyone will reduce their usage just a little bit, we are optimistic that everything will be just fine.”

Coad also reminded area electric consumers that space heaters and similar equipment are the leading cause of home fires according to the National Fire Protection Association.  “Most accidents involving space heaters are the result of human error such as heaters being placed too close to combustible material like drapes and furniture.  Improperly maintained equipment is another contributing cause.

AEP Texas serves approximately one million electric consumers in the deregulated Texas marketplace. As an energy delivery (wires) company, AEP Texas delivers electricity safely and reliably to homes, businesses and industry across its nearly 100,000 square mile service territory in west and south Texas. AEP Texas also builds new power lines, restores service following outages and handles electric metering throughout its service territory. The company also connects or disconnects service upon the orders of the Retail Electric Providers (REPs).