With the Monday afternoon reversal of an order for rolling blackouts, necessary because of a natural gas shortage amidst Arctic-like temperatures in the Plains states, utilities in Oklahoma also put their power interruptions on hold.
However, they also warned the hold might only be temporary as extreme cold weather will linger in the state for another few days, bringing sub-zero and single-digit temperatures to much of Oklahoma.
For instance, Public Service Company issued a call Monday afternoon for customers to reduce their energy use, even after the Southwest Power Pool cancelled its Energy Emergency Alert Level 3.
PSO started its power interruptions earlier in the day but by mid-afternoon stated that power had been fully restored. But the utility also cautioned that the “region’s energy supply may continue to tighten over the next several days.”
The company put its thousands of customers on alert.
“Should another temporary interruption of power be required, customers should be prepared to be without power for approximately two hours,” stated the cautionary alert from PSO.
It also said it would make attempts to provide advance notice to specific areas, alerting customers of the possibility of controlled outages. PSO went on to urged customers to make minor adjustments to thermostats.
OGE made similar pleas to its customers after it also implemented some of the power interruptions of customers.