Electric grid operator PJM urges customers to save electricity due to freezing temperatures

Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (WPVI) – Freezing temperatures are having an impact on the power grid.

PJM Interconnection, the local power grid operator, is asking customers to conserve power from Saturday 4am until Sunday 10am

Electricity use is currently higher than normal and officials say maintaining it is important to prevent any blackouts.

“When we went through the cold weather last night, electricity demand was definitely higher than we expected,” said Michael Bryson, PJM’s senior vice president of operations. “There have also been some issues with some generators going offline.”

PJM Interconnection is the power grid operator for 65 million people in 13 states and the District of Columbia.

Domestic energy companies, such as PECO and PSE&g, They are members of PJM.

PJM says some of the steps you can take to save electricity are to keep the thermostat lower than normal if your health allows. Another option is to avoid using major appliances such as stoves, dishwashers, and dryers, and to turn off lights and unnecessary electrical equipment.

PJM says this will ensure an adequate power supply during these high temperatures.

“If every family takes some relatively small, comforting actions… it really starts to make an impact,” said Bryson.

They will continue to monitor the conditions of the energy source and will do their best to keep the energy flowing.

PJM says they don’t expect to have to extend the notice past Christmas morning.

They have already reported some improvement in the power grid during this morning’s peak.