A Texas utility commission urges many in the state to conserve electricity throughout the heat and drought.

The Public Utility Commission is urging Texans to conserve power during the severe drought conditions and record high temperatures throughout those on the electric grid managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.

Those in the South Plains on the ERCOT grid include Andrews, Dawson, Garza, Crosby, and Briscoe Counties. Lubbock and most of the western portion of the South Plains and Panhandle are on the Southwest Power Pool electric grid, and are not included in ERCOT.

PUC Chairman Donna Nelson said “On Sunday we had the highest demand ever for a weekend day within ERCOT, and we expect even greater demand now that the work week is underway.”

Those on the ERCOT grid are asked to adjust their thermostats at least two degrees higher, turn off unnecessary lighting, and to run dishwashers and laundry appliances in the morning or after sunset.

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