| Posted in: News Releases
The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), which operates the energy market and controls electrical reliability across 15 states, has issued a Level 2 Energy Emergency through 6:00 p.m. today due to the extremely hot weather. The emergency alert means that all electrical generation has been ordered to run to provide reliability to the electric grid, including generation owned by MRES members located in MISO. An EEA Level 2 also requires MISO to direct its member companies to issue public conservation appeals.
Thirteen MRES members have been called upon to run generation. They include:
- Adrian, Minnesota
- Alexandria, Minnesota
- Atlantic, Iowa
- Benson, Minnesota
- Hillsboro, North Dakota
- Lakefield, Minnesota
- Marshall, Minnesota
- Melrose, Minnesota
- Pella, Iowa
- St. James, Minnesota
- Westbrook, Minnesota
- Willmar, Minnesota
- Worthington, Minnesota
Currently, MISO has enough generating capacity online to meet system-wide demand, but this step is being taken to mitigate the risk of outages. While MISO works to maintain regional reliability, we continue to urge our member utilities to instruct consumers to conserve electricity at home and work, and to follow their local utility’s directions regarding safety, conservation, and potential outages.