Due to extremely low temperatures across our region, the Tennessee Valley Authority has initiated Step 50 of the Emergency Load Curtailment Plan. To avoid major outages, UCEMC and other local power companies have been requested to implement rolling blackouts.
This means that service to an area will be interrupted for 30 minutes, restored, and interrupted in a different area. This will continue until Step 50 has been terminated by TVA.
UCEMC released the following on their Facebook page: “This is mandated by the TVA and we are working to comply. Thank you for your patience as we work through this.”
TVA is using all available resources, purchasing available power from neighboring utilities, and crews from TVA and local power companies are working around the clock to restore full electric service to all areas as quickly as possible.
Utility officials are urging the public to limit all uses of electricity during the periods in which they do have power to help maintain the limited supply of electricity. Only the most essential lighting and electrical equipment should be used.
Electric appliances such as (central or individual heating and air conditioning units, electric appliances and lights) should be turned to the off position to reduce the possibility of overtaxing the system when power is restored.
Actions in the TVA Sept 50 plan include:
● Reduce general firm load in accordance with our documented plan that minimizes impact on public health and safety.
● The general firm load may be reduced on a rotating blackout basis using a preplanned sequence of feeder interruptions so long as the specified percentage of reduction in general firm load remains in effect.
● Forewarn members to the extent possible, and optimize the duration of the rotating blackouts to minimize adverse conditions for those affected.
● Notify appropriate local agencies and public officials as soon as practical.
● Upon notification by TVA that Step 50 is canceled, return to normal operation at TVA’s direction.
