ERCOT has issued a Conservation Appeal for September 7, from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Due to continued high temperatures, high demand, low wind, and declining solar power generation this afternoon, operating reserves are expected to be low in the afternoon into the evening hours. As a result, ERCOT is asking Texans to conserve electricity use, if safe to do so.

ERCOT does expect similar conditions to persist through tomorrow and asks Texans to stay tuned for additional communications.

Today’s conservation appeal does not indicate ERCOT is experiencing emergency conditions at this time. Current forecasts are showing a potential for low reserves today because of continued high temperatures, high demand, low wind, and declining solar power generation into the afternoon and evening hours. ERCOT will continue to closely monitor conditions throughout the day and will keep the public informed through our communications channels.

What is an ERCOT Conservation Appeal?
An ERCOT Conservation Appeal is a request for Texans to reduce electrical usage, if safe to do so. Conservation is a widely used industry tool that can help the grid by lowering demand for a specific period of time, which is typically late afternoon into the evening hours in the summer. Conservation helps grid operators balance generation supply and customer demand.

Who should reduce their electric use?
ERCOT requests all Texans to reduce their electric use, if safe to do so, September 7, from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

ERCOT also requests all government agencies (including city and county offices) to implement all programs to reduce energy use at their facilities.

How can I reduce my electrical use?
Energy-saving tips for residents and businesses can be found at www.ercot.com/txans.

Medina Electric Cooperative Notifications:

As always, Medina EC will monitor ERCOT grid conditions, conservation requests and energy emergencies. If emergency requests that involve ERCOT mandated rolling outages for consumers, Medina EC will comply with those as required and will send notifications as quickly as humanly possible*. Please ensure the contact information on your account are correct. You can do that through SmartHub or by calling us at 1-866-632-3532.

Notifications include:

• Email to accounts with email addresses on file.
• Social media posts.
• News item to our website.
• Text messages to consumers signed up for MEC ERCOT text notifications. Sign up by texting ERCOT to 1-855-429-1119.
• You are also encouraged to sign up for ERCOT's Emergency Alerts. 

*Please note: Notices are sent out as quickly as humanly possible, but the situation on the grid can change very quickly. If ERCOT's reserve margins reach critical condition and ERCOT calls for load shed, the outages may begin before all notifications are able to be sent out. Phone lines are likely to be overwhelmed.