SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – Two of the largest electricity suppliers in the Ozarks region are asking customers to conserve energy when possible due to the limited supply of natural gas amid cold weather.
Springfield City Utilities and White River Valley Electric Company say natural gas peaked during the cold spell. Natural gas wells are freezing in southwest Missouri, leading to limited supplies.
“This is an unprecedented weather event that is affecting not only all of our customers, but also customers of natural gas utilities across the Midwest,” said Gary Gibson, General Manager and CEO, City Utilities of Springfield, “ Our priority with all the services we offer is to keep our customers safe and secure that we are doing everything we can during this severe winter event. “
“Electricity providers across the Midwest are seeing unmet demand on the grid due to extreme weather conditions and soaring natural gas prices,” the White River Valley Electric Company said in a press release.
Springfield City Utilities is offering the following recommendations to help conserve energy:
- Lower the thermostat by at least 2 degrees from the normal setting. 68 degrees is the suggested average setting for winter.
- Limit the use of natural gas fireplaces.
- Limit the use of plug-in electric heaters.
- Lower the temperature setting on your water heater.
- Look for other opportunities in your home to decrease the use of electricity and natural gas during this short period.
White River Valley Electric Company is specifically asking customers to reduce electricity usage during peak hours from 6 am to 10 am and from 4 pm to 8 pm.
The company also offers the following tips for Branson customers to reduce electricity:
- Rotate and keep the thermostat below 2-3 degrees.
- Minimize the use of major devices at the same time.
- Use space heaters sparingly.
- Seal around drafty doors and windows
- Change the oven filters.
- Turn down the thermostats for electric water heaters.
- Turn off the lights and disconnect devices that are not in use.
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