TEMPLE, Texas — The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and Oncor Electric Delivery Company are asking Texans to report any power outages that may have been caused by downed lines.
This week's influx of wintery weather is causing some concern for PUCT as Chairman Peter Lake says, "Our biggest concern is power line safety, especially in areas that experience icing. Ice can weigh down lines and topple tree limbs causing local power outages."
Oncor spokesperson Andy Morgan said that is the company's concern too.
"Ice accumulation can cause hundreds of pounds of weight to be added on to tree limbs and big branches, so that's the biggest concern I think we have with a storm like this," he said.
Morgan said the company is prepared for the storm that is moving through and they have crews on standby.
"We prepositioned staff members, line crews and equipment such as trucks and poles and transformers in advance of the storm, just to provide the necessary support or restoration work," Morgan said.
He says Oncor personnel will be working 16 hour shifts, 24 hours a day, as weather conditions allow. The company hasn't decided to reach out for mutual aid yet, but that could change depending on the demand and ice accumulation.
Electricity and the state's power grid is always a concern for Texans when winter weather moves in. It could be cited to the winter storm nearly two years ago that kept millions of Texans in the cold and dark for days.
The good news though, ERCOT expects there won't be a problem this go around.
"The grid is more reliable now than it's ever been," Lake added. "We've put in multiple reforms over the last 18 months and we've seen the results. We got through a record breaking summer, we got through last winter. We've had the grid endure severe tests."
Lake said the PUCT is working hand-in-hand with providers like Oncor and other state agencies to make sure Texans stay safe, stay warm and not in the dark.
"This is a whole new level of coordination between state agencies that wasn't in place before and it works," he said.
Residents are asked to visit PUCT's Storm Resources Page to report any downed lines or power outages in their area.
If you are an Oncor customer, customers can report outages and receive updates by registering for MyOncor text alerts by texting “REG” to 66267, downloading the MyOncor App and following Oncor on Facebook and Twitter, or by calling 888.313.4747.
PUCT also wants to remind residents to never approach a downed line as they can energize surrounding ground, structures and materials around it.
For more information and updates, visit here.
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