texas

ERCOT Cancels Electricity Conservation Notice

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the governing body that oversees the electric grid in Texas, canceled its request Tuesday for Texans to limit and reduce electricity nearly two hours before expected.

ERCOT initially asked residents to reduce use where possible during the peak electric demand hours of 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., but canceled the alert just after 5 p.m.

Citing high statewide temperatures, ERCOT made the request for electric conservation in response to increased demand above current electricity supply.

"This is an issue of supply and demand. While Oncor's transmission and distribution infrastructure is prepared to handle the increased load, there may not be enough current supply of generation to meet the current demand for electricity," said Connie Piloto, Oncor Director of Communications.

"We are echoing ERCOT's call for conservation, asking all of our customers to help conserve electricity for the next several hours."

Customers can help by taking the following ERCOT conservation steps:

  • Set thermostats 2 to 3 degrees higher, from 3 to 7 p.m.; set programmable thermostats to higher temperatures when no one is home.
  • If home, use fans to feel 4 to 6 degrees cooler.
  • Set pool pumps to run early morning or overnight; shut off from 4 to 6 p.m.
  • Turn off and unplug non-essential lights and appliances.
  • Avoid using large appliances (i.e. ovens, washing machines, etc.) especially during peak demand hours.
  • Businesses should minimize the use of electric lighting and electricity-consuming equipment as much as possible.
  • Large customers of electricity should consider shutting down or reducing non-essential production processes.

Oncor will notify customers once ERCOT has lifted the conservation notice.

For more information on energy conservation tips, click here.

Meanwhile, Medstar ambulance service in Fort Worth continued its heat protocols. Any patients who are outside will get a high-priority response -- no matter how minor their injury.

Some trains experienced short delays Tuesday because they travel slower in the heat.

In Fort Worth's Overton Park neighborhood, a water main break had workers battling not only the leak and the buckled street -- but also triple-digit temperatures.

"Oh it gets hot," crew chief Timo Martinez said. "Especially whenever you're digging, it's worse."

NBC 5's Scott Gordon contributed to this report.

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