RUSHFORD, Minn. – The power supplier MiEnergy Cooperative issued a peak energy alert for Thursday when high demand for energy was expected as temperatures plummet. The alert goes into effect around 7 a.m. Members enrolled in MiEnergy’s dual-fuel management program can expect to be affected until 11 a.m. Other homeowners were asked to adjust heat systems to 68 degrees or lower if no is home. Also: Use a microwave to cook, not an oven. Refrain from television. MiEergy delvers power to 22,000 account locations in Fillmore, Houston Mower, Olmsted and Winona counties in Minnesota and Allamakee ,Chicksaw, Howard and Winneshiek counties in Iowa. Similar alerts were issued by:
>People’s Energy. Of Oronoco. 20,000 account locations in Olmsted, Dodge, Fillmore, Mower, Wabasha and Winona counties.
> Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative. Of Albert Lea. 22,000 account locations in Freeborn and Mower counties.
Alerts are issued when power suppliers expect their costs to purchase of electricity from wholesalers, like Dairyland Power, will go up. Wholesale prices kick into higher range in peak periods. Eventually the higher prices will be reflected in monthly bills.
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