Ameren Missouri and numerous Electric Cooperatives across the Ozarks are asking you to reduce electricity usage as much as possible during the extreme cold.

Officials say the high usage is causing intermittent power interruptions.

A few steps include dropping your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting.

Limit the usage of appliances, turn off un-needed lights and make sure unused space heaters are turned off.

Officials say it is possible there could be rolling blackouts state wide, some of which are already occurring in Springfield and Kansas City.

Co-Mo is issuing an energy conservation alert. Due to the extreme cold temperatures, the electric grid through the Midwest is under immense pressure to serve the electric load. In order to avoid the potential need for rolling blackouts, we are asking our members to please help by conserving energy where they can. You can help by lowering your thermostat by a few degrees, turning off unneeded lights, alternating the use of large appliances and temporarily avoiding hot water use. This energy conservation alert extends from 6 PM – 8 PM tonight Feb 15 and from 7 AM – 9 AM tomorrow, Feb. 16. If you have any questions, please give us a call. Thank you!

EXTREME WEATHER ALERT

Due to extreme and extended cold temperatures, our cooperative system and many utilities throughout the region continue to exceed all-time electricity demand. LEC urges members to reduce electric use as much as possible. High demand across the grid has the potential for stress, damage, and intermittent power interruptions. Extremely cold conditions make restoring power more difficult because of the load on the power lines.

Taking steps to decrease your power usage will help while we navigate this extreme weather event.

Tips to help reduce power usage:

• Lower your thermostat a few degrees to the lowest comfortable setting. You can reduce your energy usage by 1-3% for each degree.
• Limit the use of larger appliances such as laundry or dishwashers.
• Use smaller kitchen appliances like toaster ovens, microwaves, and slow cookers to make meals, rather than relying on your range or oven.
• Be sure to turn off and unplug space heaters that you don’t need to use. Be mindful of the amount of time you utilize a space heater and reduce, if possible.
• Keep fireplace dampers closed when not in use to avoid losing heat through the chimney.
• Turn off or unplug non-essential lights and electronics.

Anything that you can do to help limit electricity use without putting your safety at risk is appreciated. As they do every day, LEC employees work hard, day and night, behind the scene to keep power flowing to our members.

Thank you for your assistance as we navigate through this historical situation.

Ameren Missouri asks customers to conserve energy following request from regional grid operator

ST. LOUIS (Feb. 16, 2021) – Energy companies in the Midwest, including Ameren Missouri, have been notified by the regional electric grid operator, known as the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), that due to the extreme cold weather and high electrical demand, customers should conserve electrical power until further notice.

Immediate ways to conserve electricity:

• Set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower.
• Turn your thermostat down at night while sleeping.
• Unplug or turn off nonessential appliances.
• Avoid using large appliances such as ovens and dryers.
• On electric hot water heaters, reduce the temperature setting.

“Conserving energy will not only help others across the region, it will also help customers save money,” said Mark Birk, senior vice president for customer and power operations for Ameren Missouri. “We appreciate our customers’ support and understanding during these extremely cold temperatures.”

MISO comprises a pool of electricity generators and users that stretches from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. As reliability coordinator, MISO is responsible for monitoring the portion of the electric grid it oversees and providing instructions to its members regarding actions needed to maintain reliability in that portion of the grid.

Should customers experience an outage:

• Call 911 and then notify Ameren at 800.552.7583 if damage to power lines or electrical equipment occurs near your home.
• Block cold air from coming in by stuffing towels along windows or underneath doors.
• Prevent pipes from freezing by running faucets on a drip.
• Blow out lit candles before leaving the room or going to bed. On average, 21 home candle fires are reported each day.

Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company’s electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri’s mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 132,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company’s service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us on Twitter at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.