Peak energy alert Friday evening

(ABC 6 News) – Due to high demand on the regional electrical grid, cooperative members are urged to reduce usage as they are able.

Freeborn-Mower Electric Cooperative (Albert Lea), MiEnergy Cooperative (Rushford), People’s Energy Cooperative (Oronoco), and Heartland Power Cooperative (St. Ansgar) are issuing a peak energy alert this evening beginning at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Members with grain dryers, voluntary manual standby generators, and dairy water heaters will be affected from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Members can conserve electricity during this peak alert period by setting their heating systems to at least 68o, lower if no one is home; running the dishwasher or doing laundry later in the evening; using a microwave instead of the oven to cook; charging electric vehicles later in the evening; and refraining from turning on televisions or gaming systems.

Each seemingly small action can collectively make a big difference in the demand made on the electric grid.