The Southwest Power Pool (SPP), which balances electricity production and use for a 14-state region including Kansas, declared an Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) Level 3.  SPP has directed its member utilities to be prepared to implement controlled interruptions of service if necessary. Extreme cold weather has led to regionwide electricity use that exceeds available generation across the SPP service territory. SPP declared an EEA Level 3 at 10:08 a.m. CT on Feb. 15, signaling that its operating reserves are below the required minimum. Earlier Monday, Kansas electric cooperatives asked their members to conserve energy wherever possible to avoid a potential Level [...]

In a special meeting Monda morning, the Kansas Corporation Commission issued an emergency order directing utilities under its jurisdiction to do all things possible and necessary to ensure adequate amounts of natural gas and electricity to meet the needs of Kansas customers including interconnected non-jurisdictional utilities that depend on them for power. The prolonged stretch of extremely cold temperatures has increased demand, created natural gas supply constraints, and potential reliability issues. “It’s in every Kansan’s best interest to conserve electricity and natural gas over the next few days when possible,” said KCC Chairperson Andrew French. “Reducing your usage will help ensure [...]

On Monday morning, the town of Andale had a power outage -- which ended up having quite a lasting impact of some businesses in the small town. Business owners said around 8 a.m., the entire town of Andale went dark with the unexpected power outage. With subzero temps, Steve Hilger, the owner of Small Business Auto Repair said his efforts to save some of his plumbing came to a sudden halt. "The lights went out but we were already fighting frozen pipes so we were getting the heaters going and then when it blacked-out we were like well that will be [...]