JEA asks for power reduction
JACKSON, Tenn. – Utility companies in West Tennessee are urging residents to cut back the use of energy.
Jackson Energy Authority urges everyone to be as conservative as possible when it comes to power usage.
This comes after the Tennessee Valley Authority issued a warning Tuesday afternoon that called for a voluntary reduction in power for consumers.
“You want to protect the power generation source and reduce the demand on TVA generation. All of the electricity in Tennessee is generated through the Tennessee Valley Authority,” said Steve Bowers, the Media Relations Coordinator for JEA.
The warning was lifted after the TVA hit peak power demand around 8 a.m.
JEA says this reduction will lessen the demand load to avoid brownouts as well as save customers money on utility bills this month.
“It’s going to make sense for people to conserve power usage because of their own utility bills, and trying to keep those down as much as possible at least cause it’s going to be a challenging stretch of days here,” Bowers said.
Some small ways to cut back can be to turn off lights, appliances, and other non-essential electrical equipment.
“It’s going to vary with the customer and their priorities. We’re trying to be sensitive to all of that. Just ask people to make whatever reductions they can consistent with their lifestyles and comfort and that’ll work for all of us,” Bowers said.
Experts recommend postponing using dishwashers, washers and dryers until the warmest part of the day and setting your thermostat to 68 degrees
“Generally speaking the largest part of the utility bill is either heating or cooling. That consumes about 55% of the utility bill. So if you want to make the most dramatic change in usage, if you can alter thermostats,” Bowers said.
Then the next phase of concern is not so much the temperature but the freezing rain.
JEA says crews are following standard procedures to prepare.
“Make sure all of the trucks are fueled up, ready to go, and they are fully equipped with a cruiser on standby,” Bowers said.
For updates and a full list of easy ways to reduce usage, click here.
