The American Public Power Association and public power utilities are taking steps to prepare for the arrival of Winter Storm Fern.
APPA will be holding a Mutual Aid Committee call on Thursday morning to discuss preparations for Winter Storm Fern.
“A major, widespread winter storm will hammer parts of the South, Midwest and Northeast Friday through Monday with potentially damaging ice and heavy snow for millions from New Mexico and Texas to parts of New England,” the Weather Channel said on its website on Jan. 21. “Impacts are expected to be most severe in areas where winter storm warnings and ice storm warnings will eventually be issued.”
In an Engage message to members, APPA provided some ready-to-use digital resources to communicate to customers and communities about winter storm preparation and safety on social media and other channels:
#WinterReady Social Media Toolkit (DHS/Ready.gov)
Winter Weather Safety Infographics (National Weather Service)
South Carolina public power utility Santee Cooper on Jan. 20 said that its personnel are making preparations for the effects anticipated winter weather may have on Santee Cooper’s electric system.
Approximately 2 million South Carolinians depend on the state-owned electric and water utility as their power source, either directly or through the state’s electric cooperatives.
As of noon Jan. 20, Santee Cooper moved to Operating Condition (OpCon) 4 alert status. This means there is a possible threat to Santee Cooper’s electric system, but effects may be limited or uncertain.
Santee Cooper is preparing for effects from a cold weather and freezing precipitation event that could enter South Carolina this weekend, Jan. 24 and 25.
At OpCon 4, the utility is primarily:
• Completing freeze protection checklists for generating station equipment.
• Preparing to have additional personnel on site at generating stations in the event of road closures, and securing additional personnel, including contractors, for transmission and distribution crews.
• Checking and fueling vehicles, including line trucks.
• Checking inventory and procuring supplies as needed, such as utility poles, electric transformers and associated equipment.
"Santee Cooper is monitoring the weather and preparing accordingly to help us be best positioned to keep the lights on for all of our customers across the state,” said Marty Watson, Senior Director, Commercial and Customer Service. “In addition, the extreme cold weather means customers may be using more electricity, which could cause their bills to increase. We encourage customers to consider ways they can save energy to help combat higher bills."
In a Facebook post late on Jan. 21, Santee Cooper said that it had secured mutual aid crews "to help us restore power throughout the weekend should forecasted ice cause power outages. Keep an eye on any outages at stormcenter.santeecooper.com."
Electric Cities of Georgia on Jan. 21 said that it is “closely monitoring the weather conditions across our communities."
Tennessee public power utility Knoxville Utilities Board said on its website that it “is closely monitoring the forecast, and crews are prepared to respond to any outages that occur due to severe weather. If outages do occur, customers may track their outages using the outage map here or using the KUB mobile app. Stay safe in severe weather conditions, and please do not approach downed power lines.”
Meanwhile, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. has issued a Weather Watch from January 24-27 due to forecasted below-freezing temperatures with the possibility of frozen precipitation, higher electrical demand, and the potential for lower reserves.
Grid conditions are expected to be normal during an ERCOT Weather Watch, it said.
"ERCOT is monitoring weather conditions closely and will deploy all available tools to manage the grid, continuing a reliability-first approach to operations," it said.
In anticipation of the extreme cold weather, ERCOT is coordinating preparation efforts with the Texas Energy Reliability Council, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, and other state agencies, as well as with Market Participants.
An ERCOT Weather Watch is an advance notification of forecasted significant weather with higher electrical demand and the potential for lower reserves. At this time, grid conditions are expected to be normal, and there is no current expectation of an energy emergency, it said on Jan. 21.
San Antonio, Texas-based public power utility CPS Energy shared the ERCOT update via its social media channels on Jan. 21 and said it is monitoring the winter weather expected later this week.
“Our facilities have been weatherized, and crews are on standby. We encourage customers to prioritize safety during winter weather, including practicing generator safety and following all recommended safety guidelines," the utility said.
It offered winter preparedness tips, including power outage tips and generator safety information, on its website.
Austin Energy, the public power utility for Austin, Texas, noted that the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Austin area from late Friday night through Sunday morning.
"With forecasts showing frigid temperatures and the possibility of ice this weekend, Austin Energy is closely monitoring the weather and prepared for the conditions," it said.
"We prepare year-round for extreme weather and we're ready in the event of a winter storm. Our crews are trained for winter weather emergencies and are on standby. Critical supplies are already in stock. Our power plants and substations are weatherized and equipment is insulated and inspected."
