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2.16.2021

*No Longer Applicable* Press Release- Sunflower Electric Power Corporation and Midwest Energy **Updated**

12:55 p.m. (2.16.21) Update:
The SPP has moved to an EEA1.

However, the alert level could change again due to weather and electric grid conditions. Grid conditions remain tight, so it is possible the SPP could move again to an EEA2 or EEA3 Alert Level during the next few days.
Consumers are encouraged to stay vigilant and continue reducing electricity usage.
• If SSP moves to an EEA Level 3, the SPP directs utilities to reduce a percentage of their load to balance the system. Generation providers and co-ops do not know in advance because the situation is fluid.
• Electric utilities are doing their best to limit planned outages to blocks of consumers at approximately 30-90 minutes and then restoring power.
• Be prepared:
Make sure phones and other electronic devices are charged at all times,
Keep flashlights with batteries on hand, have several blankets, sweaters, gloves and coats at the ready,
And have a “go kit” with food, water, medicine, and other must-haves in case you need to head to a local warming center.

2.16.2021 Update
The public is asked to continue conserving electricity and prepare for electricity interruptions. Sunflower Electric Power Corporation was notified by the Southwest Power Pool that the14-state region is again in an Emergency Energy Alert Level 3 due to weather and resource conditions. An EEA3 means there is not currently enough electricity to serve the demand. Electric utilities have been ordered to implement scheduled interruptions. Please help by avoiding all unnecessary use of electricity. Thank you.

2.15.2021: Weather conditions warrant electricity conservation

Energy Alerts issued for 14-state Southwest Power Pool region
Hays, Kan.—Feb.15, — Sunflower Electric Power Corporation and its member cooperatives are issuing public appeals for electric consumers in Kansas to reduce unnecessary energy usage starting now and continuing for the next few days. Throughout SPP’s 14-state area, similar calls for conservation are being made by all electric utilities. The Southwest Power Pool, the Regional Transmission Organization to which Sunflower belongs, has issued an Energy Emergency Alert 3 (EEA3) due to the extreme weather conditions that are causing the tightening supplies of energy generation and natural gas. “The current weather pattern that brought record- breaking temperatures has strained natural gas supply and electric generating resources, resulting in a serious situation on the electric grid in the region,” said Stuart Lowry, Sunflower president and CEO. “We are issuing an appeal for electricity conservation to mitigate scheduled electricity interruptions from SPP.”
The EEA3 is the third of three emergency phases. The first two phases, issued Sunday and early Monday, requested energy conservation to help avoid scheduled interruptions of energy that could occur in an EEA3. 
An EEA3, the last of three levels, signals that SPP is operating with reserves below the required minimum and may order member utilities to curtail energy use through controlled interruptions of service. This occurred today at 12:15 p.m. when SPP directed its members to reduce the energy load by specified amounts that vary by utility. Each individual utility determines how best to achieve the load reduction based on their emergency operating plans. Each utility’s load shed request will vary, and Sunflower was directed by the SPP Balancing Authority to shed 14 megawatts of electricity due to lack of regional generation to cover electricity demand. Sunflower then implemented its rotating load-shed schedule, a schedule that limits the length of electricity interruptions throughout the system. When required to shed load, Sunflower will do its best to limit curtailed electricity interruptions to durations of 30-60 minutes. 
SPP’s load-shed order was rescinded by SPP at approximately 1:15 p.m., and all curtailed loads were restored. At 2 p.m., the SPP Balancing Authority returned the system to EEA Level 2, which calls for continued energy conservation but no imminent load curtailments. Sunflower, like other utilities in the region, is facing curtailed gas supply to its generating units but currently has Holcomb Station (coal) and most if its gas generation fleet in service to the extent gas supply is available.
Consumers and businesses are encouraged to reduce electricity use. Suggestions for conserving energy include the following:
• Postpone using major electric appliances such as stoves, dishwashers, and clothes dryers until the energy emergency is over.
• Turn off non-essential electric appliances and equipment (radios, coffee pots, media
centers, etc.).
• Turn off power strips if not in use.
• Actively turn off computers and monitors not in use (The "sleep" mode is good, but the
"off" mode is better.). If possible, use a laptop computer as it uses much less electricity
than a desktop computer.
• Turn off lights wherever possible (don’t forget outside and decorative lighting).
• Adjust the thermostat 2-4 degrees. Reduce unnecessary use of heating units.
• Those with an electric range should plan meals that require a minimum of cooking.
• Open shades and blinds during the day and close shades and blinds at night to save energy.
• Avoid use of ovens and clothes dryers. Put off doing laundry.
• Dress warm.
• Large consumers of electricity should consider shutting down or reducing non-essential production processes.
Electric consumers are encouraged to contact their local electric utility if they have questions about the request to conserve energy for the next several days. 
About Sunflower—Sunflower Electric Power Corporation is a regional wholesale power supplier that operates a system of solar wind, natural gas, and coal-based generating plants and a transmission system of approximately 2,400 miles for the needs of its seven Members, who serve customers living in central and western Kansas. Visit Sunflower’s website at http://www.sunflower.net
Sunflower’s member cooperatives include Lane-Scott Electric Cooperative, Dighton; Pioneer Electric Cooperative, Ulysses; Prairie Land Electric Cooperative, Norton; The Victory Electric Cooperative Association, Dodge City; Western Cooperative Electric Association, WaKeeney; and Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Scott City, Kansas. Southern Pioneer Electric Company is also a Member of Sunflower.