Energy Companies Ask Customers To Cut Down On Power Usage

On Monday morning as bitterly cold temperatures swept across the state, several thousand customers statewide woke up to no heat and no lights because of power outages.

Several power providers from 14 states are asking people to conserve energy over the next 48 hours to reduce the strain on the power grid during this record cold.

Read Related: ONG, State Leaders Ask Oklahomans To Conserve Energy

Oklahoma is part of the Southwest Power Pool that stretches north to the Canadian Border. The pool has declared an energy emergency and they say if usage isn't reduced, it could lead to power shortages later.

Oklahoma Natural Gas is also calling for customers to conserve energy to keep their bills down.

They say this cold snap is driving up natural gas prices.

Kent Shortridge with ONE gas says, "Even though we do not mark up the price of natural gas, the increase in natural gas prices will have an impact on customer bills."

Shortridge also says the company is working to stock up on gas supply.

"Additional gas is being purchased from our suppliers we are working to place natural gas trailers on standby as an extra layer of protection where possible," he says.

Experts say to turn your thermostats down to at least 68 degrees to save energy and wear some extra clothes inside.

CenterPoint Energy recommends cranking it down to around 60.

They are also asking people to hold off on using major appliances such as ovens, dishwashers, and washers and dryers.