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ERCOT: Summer Blackouts Not Likely

Posted: 8:58 PM May 1, 2012
Reporter: Rashi Vats

ERCOT: Summer Blackouts Not Likely

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas says it isn't expecting any power outages this summer partly because of more available power for the state's electric grid.

After dealing with last year's scorching summer, that included the shutdown of some industries, ERCOT says they are prepared to tackle this summer.

In a telephone news conference with reporters from across the state, managers talked about the forecast.

"Consumers should expect to see calls for energy conservation on the hottest days of the summer, but at this time we do not expect to have to resort to rotating outages,” said Warren Lasher, ERCOT’s director of system planning.

ERCOT says they now have 2,000 megawatts of additional electricity as some electric companies bring old mothballed units out of retirement. One megawatt can serve about 200 typical Texas homes during the hot summer weather.

"Even if drought conditions continue, we do not expect there to be an impact to generating facilities over the course of this summer,” said Lasher.

According to the Public Utility Commission, it is suggested you set your air conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees or higher when indoors and when you are away from home, set it to 85 degrees and turn all fans off before you leave.