HARLINGEN — AEP Texas is requesting customers throttle down their electricity use in the wake of local outages in the Rio Grande Valley and Laredo.
The power company said the conservation measures will help maintain the grid system during peak usage windows of 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Customers are asked to take the following measures:
– Set thermostats to a level two to three degrees cooler than normal so heating/air-conditioning systems are not using as much electricity.
– Close blinds and curtains to keep heat from escaping a room.
– Delay using large appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines or dryers.
– Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms.
Customers who have lost power are being asked to switch off large appliances such as heating and cooling systems, dishwashers, washing machines and dryers. This will reduce the possibility breakers will trip again as power is restored.
AEP Texas officials say the request for conservation measures is prompted by cold load issues associated with restoration of service following a series of distribution outages caused by the current weather conditions.
As of 5 a.m. Tuesday morning, approximately 1,300 customers were without power in Laredo and approximately 170 customers remained without power in the Rio Grande Valley. Those numbers are expected to go up and down as the cold weather continues.
Most of the current outages in the Laredo are located in the Del Mar area while most of the current outages in the Valley are located in Weslaco, Mission and McAllen. Smaller numbers of outages also exist throughout the entire Valley, including north Brownsville this morning.
AEP Texas anticipates restoration of service to most customers later today. But as the cold weather continues, it impacts electric equipment, resulting in blown fuses, tripped breakers and other equipment failures, the company said.
