DALLAS (AP) — The manager of the electric grid serving most of Texas says extreme cold is driving a dramatic increase in electricity demand.
The electric Reliability Council of Texas is asking Texans to reduce their use of electricity through noon Friday.
An ERCOT statement recommends avoiding the use of large appliances such as washing machines, clothes dryers and electric ovens between 6 and 9 a.m. and 4 and 8 p.m. Turn off lights and appliances not in use and keep thermostats set as low as is comfortable, preferably no higher than 68 degrees.
ERCOT says demand Thursday morning topped 57,000 megawatts and could overtake its record of 57,277 megawatts before the cold wave eases.
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