Oklahoma power, gas companies say they’re prepared for upcoming deep freeze

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Companies say they are getting Oklahoma’s power grid ready for the upcoming deep freeze.

Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company (OG&E), Oklahoma Natural Gas (ONG) and Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) are optimistic, even after an update from the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) Tuesday afternoon.

As we approach freezing temperatures, the SPP says it will issue a resource advisory on Sunday, January 14. It’s expected to last through midnight of next Tuesday, January 16. This won’t require Oklahomans to save energy, but they’re raising awareness about potential threats to the power grid.

SPP shared the following statement with Fox 25:

When extreme weather, unexpected outages or other circumstances affect the region, SPP has systems, tools and procedures ready to mitigate risks and maintain electric reliability. Under different scenarios, the SPP may call on generating units to commit to run earlier or more often than usual, delay planned outages, import energy from neighboring systems or tap into available reserves depending on the severity and duration of a reliability event.

At this time, we do not expect to move beyond a resource advisory for the Jan. 13-16 timeframe and anticipate enough generation to serve the energy demand of the SPP footprint. We plan for exceptional operational circumstances and work closely with our members to prepare for any possibility. We monitor the grid and make changes as necessary to responsibly and economically keep the lights on.

Meanwhile, ONG says they are prepared with excess gas stored from the summer, increased storage and upgraded pipelines:

At Oklahoma Natural Gas, our top priority is delivering natural gas to our customers safely and reliably. With the predicted weather, we know the service we provide is essential to keep customers warm during the coldest days.

Our work to keep customers warm begins months before the winter. We buy natural gas in the summer, when prices are typically lower, and place the gas in storage. About half of our natural gas supply is stored before the winter when temperatures drop. Over the last several years, we’ve increased natural gas storage, upgraded our pipelines and expanded our supply sources, including into Louisiana, where temperatures are expected to remain much warmer. This allows us to access natural gas at more stable prices. We have also deployed CNG trailers in advance of the weather to mitigate any service disruptions caused by low pressure.

As the winter weather approaches, customers can be confident that we are ready to deliver natural gas safely and reliably to homes and businesses. We encourage all customers to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the most up-to-date information. We have been sharing conservation tips with customers online since last week in advance of this forecast. By following tips like sealing leaks around doors and windows and changing or cleaning air filters, customers can help lessen the impact cold weather has on their monthly bills. For more energy tips, visit oklahomanaturalgas.com/energytips. As always, we encourage our customers to contact us if they need financial assistance at 800-664-5463.

PSO also feels ready, telling Fox 25 that customers should be confident about their grid:

PSO is monitoring the weather closely and will be ready to respond safely and quickly to any weather-related impacts.

PSO customers can be confident that our grid is well designed, well built, and able to withstand most weather situations.

Through drills and analysis of past storm responses, PSO prepares year-round for extreme weather. After major storms, we look closely at our responses, and think about ways we can do better in the future.

PSO uses weather data and forecasts from American Electric Power staff meteorologists and the National Weather Service to keep a close eye on fast-changing weather conditions.

During large-scale outages, PSO uses the Incident Command System (ICS), which allows fast, effective response and communications with emergency response agencies and our customers.

Carson Cunningham with OG&E says their crews are prepared to respond as quickly and safely as possible.

“We completed our weather preparation by November 1, and what that really includes is completion of cold weather checklists at each of our facilities,” Cunningham said. “Preparation is really the name of the game when it comes to weather in Oklahoma, in terms of the power grid.”

OG&E workers have also replaced nearly 9,000 power poles and 4,000 transformers.

“We’re already seeing those to results to where if cold weather hits and there happens to be an outage for other reasons as well, we’re able to restore power, identify it quicker, help the customers out and keep them warm and safe during this winter season.”

He offers some safety tips to OG&E customers.

• Cover your windows.
• Make sure your home’s hot air isn’t leaking out.
• Stay aware.
• Stay prepared.
• Monitor the road conditions.
• Ensure that any elderly neighbors or family members have a plan in place should they need help.
• Don’t use a portable generator inside. Use them outside.

Cunningham says if you lose power and don’t have heat going into your home, call 211. Someone will pick up and take you to a warming center.