UPDATE: As of 5:11 p.m., August 13, 2019, ERCOT declared grid conditions have returned to normal.

DALLAS (August 13, 2019) – Today, The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the governing body that oversees the electric grid in Texas, is asking all Texans to limit and reduce their electric use where possible during the peak electric demand hours of 3 to 7 p.m.

Citing high statewide temperatures, ERCOT is requesting electric conservation in response to increased demand above current electricity supply.

“This is an issue of supply and demand. While Oncor’s transmission and distribution infrastructure is prepared to handle the increased load, there may not be enough current supply of generation to meet the current demand for electricity,” said Connie Piloto, Oncor Director of Communications. “We are echoing ERCOT’s call for conservation, asking all of our customers to help conserve electricity for the next several hours.”

Customers can help by taking the following ERCOT conservation steps:

• Set thermostats 2 to 3 degrees higher, from 3 to 7 p.m.; set programmable thermostats to higher temperatures when no one is home.
• If home, use fans to feel 4 to 6 degrees cooler.
• Set pool pumps to run early morning or overnight; shut off from 4 to 6 p.m.
• Turn off and unplug non-essential lights and appliances.
• Avoid using large appliances (i.e. ovens, washing machines, etc.) especially during peak demand hours.
• Businesses should minimize the use of electric lighting and electricity-consuming equipment as much as possible.
• Large customers of electricity should consider shutting down or reducing non-essential production processes.

Oncor will notify customers once ERCOT has lifted the conservation notice.

For more information on energy conservation tips, please visit thewire.oncor.com.

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Headquartered in Dallas, Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC is a regulated electricity distribution and transmission business that uses superior asset management skills to provide reliable electricity delivery to consumers. Oncor operates the largest distribution and transmission system in Texas, delivering power to more than 3.5 million homes and businesses and operating more than 134,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines in Texas. While Oncor is owned by a limited number of investors (including majority owner, Sempra Energy), Oncor is managed by its Board of Directors, which is comprised of a majority of disinterested directors.

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