What should Oklahoma residents fear most when temperatures flirt with the 100-degree mark? Having no electricity — and, subsequently, no air conditioning — should surely be at or near the top of the list.

While summer temperatures moderated early this week after a week of above-average readings, summer’s brutal heat — with several 100-degree days anticipated — is expected to be around for the next few months.

But those who keep the lights — and air conditioners — on in Oklahoma say blackouts should not be a concern for residential and business cus tomers.

“Based on Southwest Power Pool’s seasonal assessment analysis, SPP expects that our region will have sufficient generation to meet the demand for electricity for the period June through September 2022,” says Aaron Cooper, OG&E manager of Corporate Communications. SPP, located in Little Rock, Ark., is the power grid operator for a region covering 14 states in the central U.S. As part of the SPP, OG&E’s power generation fleet operates and supports its service area with electric service.

“Though SPP’s analysis indicates that widespread service outages are not likely, there are variables that can affect reliability despite a favorable forecast: unplanned transmission and generation outages, extreme weather conditions, etc.,” Cooper says. “While it’s impossible to completely rule out the possibility of service outages resulting from extreme, unanticipated operating situations, SPP’s analysis projects that it is unlikely to interrupt service or experience uncontrolled loss of service across its service territory.

“SPP and OG&E hope that customers across the region take encouragement that the summer season looks favorable in terms of electric reliability, and remain prepared for the unexpected.

Reports surfaced last week warning that Oklahoma electricity users were in danger of experiencing rolling blackouts. Cooper says such reports were “inaccurate.” But while conservative operations advisories are occasionally issued to prepare for increased electricity usages, extreme measures such as controlled service interruptions are rare, and are enacted as a last resort.

While Derek Wingfield at SPP says the advisory was issued, he also emphasized that rolling blackouts were not imminent.

“It’s true that several factors – including high temperatures, high electricityuse and a forecast that showed little available wind generation – led SPP to instruct our member utilities to operate the grid more conservatively than usual to mitigate risk,” says Wingfield, manager of communications at SPP. “We still had ample energy resources to meet demand across the same region (including all of Oklahoma), though, and available reserves on top of that in case of unexpected contingencies, plus the ability to import energy from other regions if that were necessary. In short we were far from being ‘one step away from rolling blackouts’.”

The SPP declared a period of “conservation operations” across its entire footprint for a 12-hour period on June 22, but Cooper says it was a precautionary measure notifying all member utilities to make the necessary generating resources available to meet the high demand anticipated across the region. In its advisory, the regional transmission organization cited high loads and wind generation output availability as the reason for its conservative operations declaration. Such advisories are common during the hot summer months. SPP declared normal operating conditions once the conservative operations advisory expired.

“There was no direct action for or impact to OG&E customers as a result of the SPP’s June 22 declaration,” Cooper says. “Controlled outages would not occur prior to SPP issuing three levels of Emergency Energy Alerts.”

Cooper says OG&E’s goal is to provide uninterrupted power to all customers at all times. Service interruptions occur when electricity use exceeds the amount of generation available, which triggers the curtailments to prevent further, more widespread and uncontrolled outages. The last time such an event occurred was not in the summer, but in February 2021. At that time, SPP directed its member utilities, including OG&E, to initiate temporary, controlled interruptions of service during Winter Storm Uri. The declaration of energy emergency alerts was due to several factors resulting from widespread, longlasting and extreme cold weather.

“Thanks to planning, constant coordination with the SPP, proactive conservation efforts and our focus on keeping generation sources online, we were able to avoid any uncontrolled blackouts such as the widespread, protracted outages that impacted Texas,” Cooper explains. “While some OG&E customers experienced controlled service interruptions, these were limited in scope and duration.”

Cooper says OG&E worked to communicate the outages as transparently and responsibly as possible to ensure that people were aware that interruptions would be possible. The messages were coupled with conservation messages urging customers to limit their energy consumption where possible in order to manage demand.

“We credit OG&E customers for the important role they played in conserving fuel during a critical, unprecedented event,” Cooper says.

“As part of our commitment to serving our customers, OG&E consistently forecasts fuel needs. In planning for fuel and power needs, we prioritize reliable, diverse fuel sources, lowest reasonable cost to customers and minimizing price volatility.

To help ensure sufficient resources to meet energy demands as high temperatures increase air conditioner use, OG&E looks to its customers to help lessen the demand on days when the mercury soars.

“While SPP and OG&E do not anticipate blackouts this season, it is always wise to be prepared and have a plan for any type of outage,” Cooper counsels.

In the event of a service interruption during summer months, OG&E urges its customers to take these safety precautions:

• Open windows, blinds and curtains to maximize air flow

• Drink plenty of water to stay cool and hydrated

• If available, utilize handheld fans

• Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.

• Call 2-1-1 for emergency assistance with medical devices or transportation to a cool zone.

• If you or your family need relief from the heat, you can visit one of OG&E’s 80 cool zones set up across the service area.

Customers seeking to manage their energy usage during hot summer days can take several easy and simple actions that will make a difference.

• Set the thermostat at the highest comfortable temperature. Each degree a thermostat is raised can save up to 4% on the cost of operating an air conditioner.

• Keep air moving in the house by using fans. A ceiling fan uses about as much electricity as a light bulb — far less than an air conditioner.

• Shrink the amount of space being cooled by closing the vents and doors in rooms that are not being used.

In the kitchen: • Use a microwave oven. It cooks much faster and uses up to 70% less energy than a conventional oven. It also releases far less heat into the kitchen.

• Air-dry the dishes. Many dishwashers have “energy saving air dry” fea tures. Summer is the best time to use it. Other ways:

• Close the drapes and window blinds on the sunny side of the house.

• Run the clothes dryer during the cooler evening and morning hours of the day.

• Get kids involved in the energysaving game. With children home from school, get kids involved in turning off game systems, lights, computers and other electronic equipment when not in use.

• Build or buy an emergency preparedness kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash and first aid supplies.

• Make sure you have alternative charging methods for your phone or any device that requires power. A crank or solar powered radio/flashlight/cell phone charger is a good alternative to battery powered ones.

• Always keep your cell charged and have a supply of batteries on hand.

• Know where the manual release lever of your electric garage door opener is located and how to operate it.

• Purchase ice or freeze waterfilled plastic containers to help keep food cold during a temporary power outage.

• Keep your car’s gas tank full. Gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps. If you use your car during a blackout to re-charge devices, do NOT keep the car running in a garage, partially enclosed space or close to a home — this can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Learn about emergency plans that have been established in your area by visiting your state’s or local website so you can locate the closest cooling shelters.

• If you rely on anything that is battery-operated or power dependent — like a medical device — have a back-up plan.

• Only use flashlights or battery operated lanterns for emergency lighting — candles and kerosene lanterns can cause fires.

• Leave one light turned on so you’ll know when the power comes back on.

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Most food requiring refrigeration can be kept safely in a closed refrigerator for several hours. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours.

• Remain cool if it is hot outside. In intense heat when the power may be off for a long time, consider going to a movie theater, shopping mall or “cooling shelter” that may be open in your community. If you remain at home, move to the lowest level of your home, since cool air falls. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty.

• Turn off or disconnect appliances and other equipment in case of a momentary power surge that can damage computers and other devices. Consider adding surge protectors.

• Only use generators away from your home and NEVER run a generator inside a home or garage, or connect it to your home's electrical system. • Avoid unnecessary travel, es

• Avoid unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic lights will be out and roads will be congested.

• If electrical power lines are down, don’t touch them. Keep your family and pets away. Report downed lines to your utility company.

Following a Blackout • Throw away any food that has

• Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures above 40° F (4° C) for more than two hours or if it has an unusual odor, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out.

• If food in the freezer is colder than 40° F and has ice crystals on it, you can refreeze it. • Contact your doctor if you’re

• Contact your doctor if you’re concerned about medications having spoiled. • Restock your emergency kit

• Restock your emergency kit with fresh batteries, canned foods and other supplies you used.

SEQUOYAH COUNTY TIMES 111 N. Oak  Sallisaw OK  74955

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