When extreme temperatures persist and power use versus energy supply margins shrink across the Midwest, CWLP works hard to keep Springfield's power flowing reliably 24/7 with operation of Dallman Unit 4 and its peaking plants. In winter when cold snaps occur, energy use can run high and power resources can run short (along with other grid trouble) that can strain the regional electric grids. Electric users can do their part to help conserve to reduce stress on energy grid by lowering electric demand and striving for lower energy costs.
Today, the regional grid operator,
Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) noted its monitoring of energy supplies versus demand due to challenging conditions related to below normal temperatures across the Midwest. MISO proactively issues advisories and undertakes planning for the addition of generation resources, plus can request conservation as part of its emergency procedures to ensure all entities can keep the power flowing across its 15-state area of the electric grid.
Here are some conservation steps CWLP electric customers could implement to save energy or if an energy emergency is declared during this cold snap (as health and wellness allows):
• For electrically heated properties, decrease interior temperature by two degrees or more.
• Turn off or minimize use of electric space heaters.
• Postpone use of non-essential electric pumps, motors, processes etc. where possible.
• Turn off lighting where not needed.
• Postpone major appliance use, such as with washing machines, dryers and dishwashers.
• Turn off and disconnect electronics not in use such as computers, printers, copiers, coffee makers, televisions and charging devices.
• Postpone Electric Vehicle charging.
• Reduce lighting for showroom displays and exterior signage wherever possible.
• Turn off stand-alone dehumidifiers and electric water heaters at the source or by circuit breaker.
• Power off water fountains that dispense chilled water.
• Allow direct sunlight through windows to increase heat to property.
What Happens During Regional Energy Emergencies?
There might be circumstances when demand for electricity on the regional grid outside of CWLP is greater than what can be generated or supplied. Generator outages, weather impacts, transmission trouble or any number of factors can influence electric resources available to meet electric demand. In the event of a projected or existing energy shortage, the
Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) — the agency that regulates the flow of electricity over a 15-state region of the electric grid (including most of Illinois) —will direct its member utilities in impacted regions to take steps to reduce electric usage by asking for voluntary conservation and to add all available generation resources in order to avert the potential for rolling blackouts or temporary, protective power outages.
Requests from MISO to reduce energy usage and add generation resources, would be issued over specified hours of the day in order to avert possible energy supply shortages. CWLP and other impacted Midwest utilities would ask its customers to assist with load reduction by reducing electric usage in order to avert an energy emergency and imbalance in the electric grid.
January 24, 2026, 9 AM
Why Is A Balanced Electric Grid Necessary?
The electric grid functions by continuously balancing electricity supply and demand to ensure stability and reliability. Electric conservation can be called for when real-time data shows demand on the grid doesn’t match the generation available. This helps regional grid operators manage the flow of electricity across the US and its connected regions and respond to changes in usage or production to avoid electric system damage and rolling blackouts known as protective power outages. When demand on the grid doesn’t match the generation available, electric system damage and total blackouts can occur, which come with much more severe consequences as well as longer outage durations.
What Are The Steps In A Regional Energy Emergency?
In a regional energy emergency, MISO would ask CWLP and other MISO member utilities to begin with internal conservation measures among its resources first, bring on peaking units and other resources as possible, and then make public appeals for their customers to take steps to conserve electricity in order to avoid rolling blackouts, which are always a last resort.
How Do I Know When to Conserve Energy & Follow Status?
As health and safety allows, customers can conserve energy any time to reduce usage and save money. For energy emergencies, CWLP will update its status on its Energy Emergency Page https://cwlp.com/energyemergency and keep updates on its Facebook and X pages.
What About Rolling Blackouts?
After regional conservation is implemented in the impacted MISO zones and all other energy management options are exhausted, if energy shortfalls are still projected, regional utilities may be asked to implement protective power outages known as rolling blackouts. Protective power outages are critical during energy emergencies to avert strain on the electric system, which if not addressed could cause total blackouts and electric system damage with much more severe consequences as well as longer outage durations.
Only as a last resort and per MISO direction, CWLP would implement protective power outages rotating across different circuits of the city in approximately 15 minute increments until the load shed requirement or energy emergency is lifted. CWLP understands the inconvenience electric service disruptions are to its customers and has chosen to implement the shorter 15 minute outages to lessen that impact.