The stress that subfreezing temperatures are placing on the electric grid became apparent on Saturday as Habersham Electric Membership Corporation issued a notice to members asking them to reduce consumption.
The local cooperative says its electrical system is “being stressed to its fullest extent.”
“We are seeing fuses blow and our electrical equipment operate (causing blinks) due to the tremendous load being pulled on the system,” the notice states. “We urge you now to reduce the load (your electricity usage) at your home or anywhere possible.”
The cooperative asks members to lower their thermostats by at least 2 degrees “ASAP.”
- Turn off and unplug any unnecessary electronics, including lights.
- Do not use any appliances or other electronics unless necessary.
- If you have an electric water heater, delay the use of hot water at this time.
“We understand this is a challenge, and we appreciate your patience as we work through this severe weather event together,” the notice on Facebook states.
Habersham EMC is a rural electric cooperative based in Clarkesville. It serves more than 26,000 members in six Northeast Georgia counties, including Habersham, Hall, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, and White.
