Omaha Public Schools calls off remote learning due to rotating power outages

MOMENT. FIRST, WE WANT TO GET THE LATEST ON THE FORECAST, WITH WEATHER NOW CHIEF METEOROLOGIST BILL RANDBY. BILL: TEMPERATURES ALREADY IN THE TEENS TO BELOW ZERO IN THE OMAHA. METRO SOME OF THE VIEWING AREA ALREADY 20 BELOW ZERO AND IT’S ONLY 10:00 AT NIGHT. THAT IS THE METHODIST WOMEN’S HOSPITAL. EPPLEY AIRFIELD 14 BELOW ZERO. A NORTH BREEZE AT SIX CREATES A WIND CHILL 28 BELOW ZERO. WHEN YOU GET THIS COLD, ANY LITTLE BREEZE CREATES A SUBSTANTIAL WIND CHILL. 12 BELOW AT OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE. 15 BELOW AT THE COUNCIL BLUFFS AIRPORT. 22 BELOW IN DENISON. THESE ARE JUST THE TEMPERATURES. THE WINDS ARE PRETTY LIGHT, FIVE TO SIX MILES AN HOUR, BUT EVEN THAT CREATES THIS WIND CHILL. 28 BELOW IN OMAHA. 36 BELOW IN DENISON AND HARLAN. THAT’S WHY THIS WIND CHILL WARNING IS IN EFFECT. THE WIND CHILL WARNING CONTINUES. THE RECORD LOW FOR TONIGHT IS 17 BELOW. WE ARE ALMOST THERE ALREADY. RELIEF COMES IN THE FORM OF MILDER TEMPERATURES BY THE WEEKEND. IN THE 20’S BELOW, EVEN IN OMAHA. ROB: WE HAVE TO BE PATIENT AND BE CAREFUL. THE BITTER COLD HAS SEVERAL METRO DISTRICTS CANCELING CLASSES TOMORROW. JULIE: RIGHT NOW, THAT INCLUDES BELLEVUE, ELKHORN, GRETNA, PAPILLAE AND LAVISTA AND WESTSIDE SCHOOLS. ALL CLOSED TOMORROW. OMAHA METRO WILL HAVE REMOTE LEARNING DAYS. THE FREEZE IS PUTTING THE SQUEEZE ON THE ELECTRICAL GRID. ROB: WHILE THINGS ARE STABILIZED TONIGHT, SOUTHWEST POWER POOL, THE COMPANY THAT MANAGES THE GRID FOR OPPD, NPPD, AND UTILITIES IN 14 STATES SAYS WE COULD SEE MORE ROTATING OUTAGES OVER THE NEXT 48 HOURS. TODAY, POWER WAS CUT TO 10,000 CUSTOMERS IN BELLEVUE AND SOUTH OMAHA FOR AN HOUR. IT WAS AN EFFORT TO CONSERVE ENERGY AND TAKE SOME OF THE STRAIN OFF THE GRID. BUT IT’S NOT JUST YOUR ELECTRICITY YOU NEED TO WORRY ABOUT. THE COLD IS IMPACTING NATURAL GAS AND WATER. KETV NEWSWATCH 7’S ALEXANDRA STONE JOINS US LIVE WITH WAYS YOU CAN HELP. REPORTER: THE SOUTHWEST POWER POOL COVERS AN AREA STRETCHING FROM TEXAS TO THE CANADIAN BORDER, MUCH OF WHICH HAS PLUNGED INTO A DEEP FREEZE. THE PRESIDENT OF OMAHA PUBLIC POWER DISTRICT SAYS THESE NEXT 24 HOURS ARE CRITICAL. AS TEMPERATURES PLUMMETED MONDAY, THE OMAHA PUBLIC POWER DISTRICT GOT AN EMERGENCY ORDER FROM SOUTHWEST POWER POOL TO IMPLEMENT PLANNED OUTAGES. >> WE HAVE NEVER BEEN IN THIS KIND OF SITUATION. REPORTER: OPPD PRESIDENT AND CEO TIM BURKE SAYS WINTER WEATHER NOT ONLY DRIVES UP DEMAND IT’S , IT’S IMPACTING SUPPLY ACROSS THE SPP SYSTEM. >> THEY ARE HAVING THESE ISSUE OCCURRING OF TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA RESTRICTING GAS FLOW AND THEN WERE SEEING SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION OF WIND. REPORTER: BURKE SAYS OPPD OFTEN GETS ONLY MINUTES NOTICE OF THESE ORDERS FOR PLANNED OUTAGES. BUT IT’S ALL MEANT TO PREVENT SOMETHING MUCH WORSE. >> YOU DO THESE PLANNED OUTAGES SO YOU DON’T HAVE A BLACKOUT REPORTER: OPPD IS ASKING FOR YOUR HELP. UNPLUG ITEMS YOU’RE NOT USING, AND DON’T USE THE WASHER, DRYER OR DISHWASHER. ALSO TURN DOWN YOUR THERMOSTAT A COUPLE DEGREES. THAT’S A SENTIMENT ECHOED BY THE METROPOLITAN UTILITIES DISTRICT AS MOST HEATING SYSTEMS REQUIRE BOTH ELECTRICITY AND NATURAL GAS TO RUN >> FOR EVERY DEGREE YOU TURN IT BACK, IT SAVES 1% TO 3% OF ENERGY AND LITTLE THINGS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE. REPORTER: MUD PRESIDENT MARK DOYLE SAYS THEY’RE RUNNING AT FULL CAPACITY. >> RECORD DAY YESTERDAY, MORE GAS SEND OUT THAN EVER IN THE HISTORY OF THE UTILITY REPORTER: DOYLE SAYS THE PLANNED OUTAGES HAVEN’T IMPACTED MUD SO FAR. ANOTHER MAJOR CONCERN DURING THIS COLD SNAP IS FREEZING PIPES. YOU MAY WONDER IF YOU LOSE POWER AND HEAT, HOW CAN YOU PREVENT THAT? >> IF YOU LET YOUR WATTLE TRICKLE — WATER TRICKLE LITTLE BIT, THAT KEEPS THE WATER MOVING. YOU DON’T NEED YOUR POWER AT HOME TO TRICKLE THE WATER. REPORTER: MARK EVANS OWNER OF BURTON AC HEATING PLUMBING AND MORE SAYS FROZEN PIPES ARE THE MAIN PROBLEM THEY’RE ENCOUNTERING RIGHT NOW. IN ADDITION TO LETTING PIPES DRIP, HE OFFERS THIS ADVICE. >> MAKE SURE YOU KEEP YOUR GARAGE DOOR SHUT ALL THE TIME. A LOT OF HOUSES HAVE THAT BATHROOM ABOVE THE GARAGE AND THAT’S A GREAT PLACE FOR PIPES TO START FREEZING IF THE GARAGE DOOR IS LEFT OPEN. WE USUALLY SAY ALL THE INTERIOR DOORS, INCLUDING CABINET DOORS, WHERE YOU KNOW YOU HAVE PROBLEMS, LEAVE THOSE OPEN SO YOU GET SOME HEAT UNDER THERE. REPORTER: EVANS SAYS YOU CAN ALSO USE HEAT TAPE ON YOUR PIPES. IF YOUR WATER STOPS RUNNING, IT IS LIKELY THE WATER STOPS — HAS FROZEN THE PIPES. AT THAT POINT, HE ADVISES YOU TO SHUT OFF THE MAIN SUPPLY. ALEXANDRA STONE, KETV NEWSWATCH 7. ROB: NO HEAT, NO WATER, AND A LOT OF FRUSTRATION. THAT’S THE REALITY FOR ONE OMAHA FAMILY TONIGHT. JULIE: THEY SAY THEIR FURNACE HAS BEEN BROKEN SINCE FRIDAY AND THEY HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO GET IT FIXED. AS KETV NEWSWATCH 7’S SARAH FILI REPORTS, THEY ARE TRYING TO STAY WARM, AND KEEP THEIR BABY SAFE. >> THERE YOU GO. REPORTER: A HAPPY TODDLER, BUNDLED UP LIKE USUAL FOR WINTER. EXCEPT, HIS HOME, IS ONLY 40 DEGREES. THE BOWEN’S FURNACE WENT OUT FRIDAY AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. >> WE WOULD TRY AND TURN IT UP. ESPECIALLY THIS WEEKEND, IT HAS BEEN REALLY COLD. IT WASN’T MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE AT ALL. WE WOULD BE FREEZING IN HERE. REPORTER: ALEX BOWEN CALLED A PROPERTY MANAGER AT THE RESERVE AT THE KNOLLS OFF 108TH AND MAPLE. BOWEN SAYS MAINTENANCE TOLD THEM THEY COULDN’T REPLACE THEIR FURNACE UNTIL TODAY. THAT MEANT BRAVING A WEEKEND OF TEMPERATURES WELL BELOW ZERO. >> I DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY KNOW WE HAVE A VERY, VERY SMALL CHILD IN HERE. REPORTER: HIS WIFE AND SON STAY AT A FRIENDS HOUSE, BUT HE’S STUCK AT HOME, WORRYING ABOUT A BIGGER PROBLEM. >> I STAY HERE SO THAT IF ONE OF THE PIPES TO BURST, I CAN CALL THEM AND HAVE THE WATER SHUT OFF SO MY STUFF DOESN’T GET FLOODED AND RUINED. REPORTER: BOWEN SAYS THE PIPES FROZE SATURDAY, MEANING HE HAS NO RUNNING WATER. HE SAYS THE LEASING OFFICE BROUGHT OVER SPACE HEATERS, BUT THEY BARELY HELP. >> ONLY TWO OF THEM, BECAUSE ANY MORE OF THAT AND WE START TRIPPING BREAKERS. REPORTER: HE SAYS MONDAY CAME AND WENT WITH NO HELP FOR THE HEAT. >> LIKE, 38, 40 DEGREES IS WHAT IT IS WHEN I WAKE UP IN THE MORNING. REPORTER: BOWEN JUST WANTS HIS FURNACE FIXED, AND HIS FAMILY HOME. >> TO NOT HAVE HEAT AT THIS TIME IT’S JUST THE WORST , POSSIBLE TIME. I THOUGHT THEY WOULD HAVE SOME URGENCY KNOWING THAT BUT, I GUESS I WAS WRONG. REPORTER: I CALLED THE LEASING OFFICE, STAFF THERE ISN’T ALLOWED TO SPEAK WITH US. THEY GAVE ME A NUMBER FOR A CORPORATE OFFICE, WHERE THE ONLY OPTION WAS TO LEAVE A VOICEMAIL, THEY DID NOT RETURN MY CALL. BACK TO YOU. ROB: THANK YOU. SOMEONE SPARKED A FIRE IN THIS APARTMENT BUILDING NEAR 10TH AND WILLIAM TRYING TO UNTHAW THEIR PIPES. IT HAPPENED AROUND 1:45 THIS AFTERNOON. FIRE OFFICIALS SAY RESIDENTS WERE USING A PROPANE FUELED TORCH ON THE PIPES AND IT CAUGHT OTHER THINGS ON FIRE. FIREFIGHTERS SAY YOU SHOULD CALL A PLUMBER IF YOUR PIPES ARE FROZEN. >> TALK TO A CERTIFIED PLUMBER TO DETERMINE WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO HEAT UP FROZEN PIPES, I WOULD NOT SUGGEST USING A TORCH OR WHATEVER THEY’RE USING TO DO IT. ROB: ABOUT SEVEN PEOPLE LIVE IN THE BUILDING, NO ONE WAS HURT. WE’RE TOLD ALL OF THEM ARE STAYING WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY TONIGHT. JULIE: WE AREN’T THE ONLY ONES STRUGGLING WITH THIS HARSH WINTER. STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE DEALING WITH SNOW, ICE AND PLUMMETING TEMPERATURES. CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO FROM NEW ORLEANS, POWER LINES ARE SPARKING FROM THE FREEZING RAIN. SLEET COVERS THE STREETS. AND IN TENNESSEE, SLICK ROADS SEND A TRUCK SLIDING DOWN THE STREET. THE DRIVER SAYS HE WENT MORE THAN A HUNDRED YARDS BEFORE REGAINING CONTROL. THANKFULLY, HE SAYS HE AVOIDED HITTING THE CAR PARKED AT THE BOTTOM OF THAT HILL. ROB: HERE’S SOMETHING TO REMEMBER. SNOW AT THE ALAMO. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ISSUED A FEDERAL EMERGENCY DECLARATION FOR TEXAS, AS THE WINTER STORM THERE CONTINUES TO PICK UP. SOME PARTS OF THE STATE ARE ALSO DEALING WITH POWER OUTAGES. JULIE: HERE AT HOME, WE’LL HAVE THE LATEST UPDATES ON THIS ONGOING DEEP FREEZE ON AIR AND ONLINE. MAKE SURE YOU DOWNLOAD THE KETV MOBILE APP. YOU’LL HAVE ACCESS TO THE FULL FORECAST AND INTERACTIVE RADAR, ALL FOR FREE. ROB: PEOPLE 70 AND OLDER IN DOUGLAS COUNTY WILL BE ABLE SIGN UP TO GET THEIR VACCINE. JULIE: THAT’S ACCORDING TO LOCAL HEALTH OFFICIALS. REGISTRATION OPENS UP TOMORROW. JUST GO TO DOUGLASCOUNTYHEALTH.COM. THEN CLICK ON THE YELLOW BOX THAT SAYS COVID-19 VACCINATION APPOINTMENT SIGN UP. ROB: TOTAL VACCINATIONS AT THIS HOUR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SAYS 289,000 SHOTS HAVE BEEN GIVEN OUT. THAT’S ABOUT 70% OF DOSES ALLOCATED TO THE STATE. JULIE: IOWA HEALTH OFFICIALS REVERSE COURSE ON A PLAN TO WITHHOLD COVID-19 VACCINES FROM COUNTIES THAT DON’T MEET DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS. THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD WITHHOLD SHIPMENTS FROM HEALTH DISTRICTS NOT USING 80% OF THEIR WEEKLY ALLOTMENT. ACCORDING TO THE STATE, FIVE COUNTIES FELL SHORT OF THAT GOAL LAST WEEK, BUT SOME HEALTH LEADERS SAY IT WAS THE WEATHER THAT CAUSED THE SLOWDOWN. THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY THE COUNTIES WILL GET THEIR DOSES. ROB: STILL AHEAD HERE AT 10:00, A STOCK TRADING APP BLAMED AFTER A YOUNG MAN’S SUICIDE. JULIE: TONIGHT, HIS PARENTS TAKE THE ISSUE TO COURT, AS THOSE CLOSE TO HIM WARN OF THE RISKS OF THE MARKET. ROB: LATER, OMAHA CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WANT TEACHERS TO GET VACCINATED. THEIR PLAN FOR MAKING IT HAPPEN. ROB: DOES A NEW GENERATION OF DAY-TRADERS, WHO ARE BUYING AND SELLING IN THE MARKET, FOR FREE, ON THEIR PHONES, UNDERSTAND THE RISK THEY ARE TAKING? IT’S AN INCREASING WORRY AMONG FINANCIAL ADVISORS. JULIE: AND ONE FAMILY SAYS AN APP DESIGNED TO MAKE STOCK TRADING LIKE A VIDEO GAME, CAUSED THE DEATH OF A 20-YEAR-OLD UNL SOPHOMORE. KETV NEWSWATCH 7’S DAVID EARL TONIGHT WITH HOW FINANCIAL RISK, LED TO THE FAMILY TRAGEDY. REPORTER: AS THE STOCK TRADING FRENZY OVER NAMES LIKE GAMESTOP GRABBED HEADLINES IN THIS NEW YEAR BILL BREWSTER WATCHED FROM , THE SIDELINES, THINKING ABOUT HIS COUSIN, ALEX. >> IT’S AN ELEMENT OF WATCHING THIS THAT HAS BEEN REALLY DIFFICULT BECAUSE HE’S NOT HERE. REPORTER: SO MUCH OF THE ACTION AROUND GAMESTOP WAS HAPPENING IN THE POPULAR STOCK-TRADING APP ROBINHOOD. REDDIT-READERS WERE BUYING OPTIONS TIED TO THE STOCK, THOSE ARE COMPLICATED FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS THAT CARRY EXTREME RISK. >> THE LINE BETWEEN GAMBLING AND INVESTING IS VERY VERY BLURRY IN THE OPTIONS MARKET TO BEGIN WITH. REPORTER: AND DESPITE THEIR COMPLEX NATURE, IT’S RELATIVELY EASY TO TRADE OPTIONS ON ROBINHOOD. THE APP WILL EVEN EXTEND LEVERAGE, OR BORROWED MONEY, TO ITS USERS, LIKE ALEX. THE UNL SOPHOMORE FROM OUTSIDE CHICAGO OPENED HIS APP IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR AND SAW A BALANCE OF MORE THAN NEGATIVE $700,000. HE GREW INCREASINGLY DESPERATE OVER THE NEXT FEW HOURS. GRIPPED BY FINANCIAL FEAR, ALEX KEARNS TOOK HIS OWN LIFE. >> HE MADE A DECISION YOU CAN NEVER GO BACK FROM AND MY FAMILY ACHES EVERY DAY AND IT’S NEVER GOING TO STO REPORTER: KEARNS’ PARENTS, DAN AND DOROTHY, FILED A WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT THIS MONTH AGAINST ROBINHOOD, ATTACKING THE APP’S BROADER BUSINESS MODEL. “MARKETING ITS ONLINE TRADING PLATFORM LIKE A VIDEO GAME, IT IMPLIED THAT TRADING STOCK AND OPTIONS WAS A FUN WAY TO MAKE MONEY, PERHAPS EVEN TO GET RICH, WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT RISK. A DEATH LIKE ALEX’S WAS ALMOST INEVITABLE AS A RESULT OF ROBINHOOD’S RECKLESS BEHAVIOR.” ROBINHOOD WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE ALLEGATIONS IN THE LAWSUIT, SIMPLY SAYING IN A STATEMENT, WE “WERE DEVASTATED BY ALEX KEARNS’ DEATH.” A SPOKESPERSON POINTS OUT HOW THE PLATFORM HAS MADE CHANGES, UPDATES TO HOW WE DISPLAY BUYING POWER, MORE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ON OPTIONS, AND REVISED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW CUSTOMERS. THEY GO ON TO SAY, “WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO MAKING ROBINHOOD A PLACE TO LEARN AND INVEST RESPONSIBLY.” >> I JUST REALLY ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW WHAT THEY’RE GETTING INTO. REPORTER: BREWSTER, WHO WORKS IN FINANCE, WORRIES ABOUT THE BEHAVIOR APP-BASED TRADERS ARE LEARNING. HE FEARS THE BLURRING LINE BETWEEN INVESTING AND GAMBLING WILL CREATE LASTING DAMAGE. >> I THINK THE CONSEQUENCES ARE SOMETHING PEOPLE SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT. REPORTER: AND WHILE SOME SAW SUCCESS USING THEIR ROBINHOOD ACCOUNTS BETTING ON GAMESTOP BREWSTER NOTES, THERE ARE PLENTY , WHO GOT BURNED TOO. >> I JUST HOPE THAT IF ANYONE BLEW UP THEIR FINANCIAL LIFE TODAY THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THERE’S A TOMORROW AND THAT THEY CAN START TO REBUILD. REPORTER: IF YOU, OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW, THERE IS HELP AVAILABLE 20 47. THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE IS 1-800-273-8255. DURING THE FRENZY OF THE GAMESTOP STORY, A LOT OF QUESTIONS CAME UP FOR PARENTS FROM THEIR KIDS. ONLINE RIGHT NOW AT KETV.COM, WE HAVE SOME TIPS FROM FINANCIAL ADVISORS ON HOW TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT RISK. ANNOUNCER: FROM OMAHA’S WEATHER LEADER, CHIEF METEOROLOGIST BILL RANDBY WITH YOUR ACCURATE WEATHER NOW FORECAST. BILL: RANDBY FACTOR TIME. TUESDAY, TWO. A HORRIBLE DAY FOR BEING AND WORKING OUTSIDE. BUT NOT QUITE AS BAD AS TODAY. THE WIND CHILL WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT NOON. THE WIND SHOULD BE LIGHT. A RECORD LOW HIGH TEMPERATURE. LOW OF 15 BELOW, A RECORD LOW TEMPERATURE. THE PREVIOUS RECORD WAS 12 BELOW IN 1936. 24 BELOW. COLUMBUS, 27 BELOW. SOME AREAS COLDER THAN THAT TONIGHT. DOWNTOWN, HIGH UP ON THE OLD TV TOWER, 14 BELOW ZERO AT OF POORLY AIRFIELD — AT EPPLEY AIRFIELD. 22 BELOW IN YORK. 24 BELOW IN DENISON. WE WILL SEE SOME SPOTS GET TO 30 BELOW ZERO TONIGHT IN THE VIEWING AREA BECAUSE WE HAVE A DEEP SNOWPACK, CLEAR SKIES, AND LIGHT WINDS. WE MIGHT KEEP TONIGHT. BETWEEN 20 AND 30 BELOW FOR WIND CHILLS RIGHT NOW. RADAR IS QUIET. TO THE SOUTH OF US, THERE WERE SOME CLOUDS. COLD TEMPERATURES TOWARDS CLARINDA. WE ANTICIPATE TEMPERATURES — A PROBLEM HERE? HOLD ON A SECOND. I GUESS IT’S OK. WE HAVE THIS HUGE STORM IN THE EAST HERE. THE SNOW AND ICE MOVING INTO NEW ENGLAND. BUT HERE, IT IS DRY. ROB: THIS IS LIVE TELEVISION. BILL: THANK YOU, ROB. HERE’S TOMORROW, HIGH PRESSURE IN THE MORNING. , THE AFTERNOON HAS A FEW CLOUDS. A COUPLE FLURRIES TOMORROW NIGHT. AS WE GO INTO WEDNESDAY, CLOUDS AROUND AT REESE — LEAST DURING THE MORNING SO TEMPERATURES WILL BE COLD AGAIN. HERE’S THE FORECAST FOR TONIGHT. I HOPE COMING UP IN JUST A SECOND HERE. THERE WE GO. TONIGHT, LOW TEMPERATURE OF 23 BELOW ZERO. A WIND CHILL WARNING BECAUSE WIND CHILLS ARE EXCEEDINGLY COLD. THE OLD RECORD LOW, 17 BELOW. WE ARE FORECASTING 23 BELOW. TWO FOR THE HIGH ON TUESDAY. 15 FOR WEDNESDAY. 24 BY FRIDAY. JUST TONIGHT AND INTO WEDNESDAY, TO STAND WEDNESDAY, EXTREME COLD. YOU CAN SEE THE SEVEN DAY FORECAST.

Omaha Public Schools calls off remote learning due to rotating power outages

Updated: 9:01 AM CST Feb 16, 2021

Around 8 a.m. Tuesday, Omaha Public Schools called off remote learning due to rotating power outages. The district had previously set Tuesday as a remote learning day to cold, along with many other districts. The rotating outages that began midday Monday are expected throughout Tuesday as well, as dangerous cold temperatures dipped to -40.Officials say this is happening because there is not enough power available to keep up with customer demand and that this type of demand reduction is only used as a last resort to preserve the reliability of the electric grid.

OMAHA, Neb. —

Around 8 a.m. Tuesday, Omaha Public Schools called off remote learning due to rotating power outages.

The district had previously set Tuesday as a remote learning day to cold, along with many other districts.

The rotating outages that began midday Monday are expected throughout Tuesday as well, as dangerous cold temperatures dipped to -40.

Officials say this is happening because there is not enough power available to keep up with customer demand and that this type of demand reduction is only used as a last resort to preserve the reliability of the electric grid.