Energy Alert August 24, 2023

WMU declares an ENERGY ALERT to conserve energy until 9:00pm Thursday, August 24, 2023.

This request comes from the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), which operates the energy market and controls electrical reliability for our region. MISO has issued a Level 2 Energy Emergency.

Reduce your energy use as much as possible to help us avoid outages. You can help by turning up your thermostat a few degrees, close your drapes or blinds to keep the sun out, shut off all unnecessary lights and equipment, and delay using large appliances like ovens, washing machines and dishwashers until later in the evening.

If these and other measures are not successful, the regional grid operator will issue an ENERGY EMERGENCY.

This will require that utilities initiate a series of controlled temporary outages, or rolling blackouts, to maintain the stability of the electric grid. In that situation, Willmar Municipal Utilities will methodically shut off electrical circuits in the community, one after the other, with outages expected not to last more than 2 hours.

If you rely on life support equipment in your home, please let us know as soon as possible at 320-235-4422.

Although we can’t control energy emergencies, Willmar Municipal Utilities and our power supplier, Missouri River Energy Services, are prepared to do everything possible to keep the lights on and keep homes and businesses running.

Please listen for radio announcements on local radio stations, KWLM 1340 AM, KQIC 102.5 FM, KOLV 100.1 FM, and KLFN 106.5 FM, and follow us on Facebook for updates and information.

WMU would like to extend a sincere THANK YOU in advance for doing your part.