Jackson County REMC recently issued a message to its customers about the possibility of rolling blackouts in the region this summer.

The Brownstown-based utility said this warning was made by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, an independent nonprofit organization that operates the electrical grid in the middle part of the United States from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. They warned that during peak usage, there may be a shortage of electricity.

Starting today, there are extremely high temperatures forecasted. This means energy usage could be above normal and potentially cause an electricity shortage.

If the shortage reaches a critical stage, the grid system could collapse, which is what the rolling blackouts are designed to prevent.

REMC said in the news release that the electric cooperative will do everything in its power to prevent the collapse.

If the utility is called upon by MISO to reduce its load on the grid, it will ask for voluntary reductions first.

REMC asks its customers to consider cutting back on their energy usage during peak times (typically 2 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday) by setting their air conditioner thermostats up a couple of degrees and putting off running dishwashers, clothes dryers, pool pumps and other nonessential electric devices during this period. If this does not reach the needed reduction, REMC will begin rolling blackouts.

A rolling blackout typically lasts 15 to 30 minutes per location before it “rolls” to the next area. REMC has a plan in place that its systems engineer will manage to reduce the demand on the grid.

“We do not know exactly when you will be affected by a rolling blackout, and all members will be affected in the same way. It just may be at different times,” REMC said.

REMC asks its customers to continue to monitor announcements from Jackson County REMC’s social media feeds, along with announcements from MISO for the most up-to-date information. If you have a medical condition that requires electricity, make sure you have a backup plan in the event of a large-scale blackout event.