YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
As City Utilities responds to orders from the Southwest Power Pool regional transmission group this week, rolling blackouts have been issued and rescinded multiple times.
During a livestreamed news conference this morning, CU General Manager Gary Gibson received word that the most recent blackout order issued earlier today had been called off. A similar situation happened yesterday, and Gibson warned that more rolling blackouts could be on the way amid inclement weather this week. During rolling blackouts, electricity is shut off in certain portions of the city in 30-minute to one-hour intervals.
"The reason to do that load shedding is to just ensure the stability of the load and the transmission system across the Midwest," Gibson said, noting the alternative would be an "unstable system that could be a catastrophic failure of the entire electric system grid which would result in sustained and prolonged outages for the entire town."
Early this morning, CU was notified it must shed 34 megawatts out of the 1,500 megawatts SPP aimed to reduce across its footprint. However, CU received word hours later that it could restore half of that power this morning, and during the 10 a.m. news conference, Gibson said the latest blackout order had been canceled altogether.
CU is providing updates on the rolling blackouts on its Facebook page.
Springfield Business Journal yesterday reported CU is working with around 25 top clients to curtail their use of natural gas amid the severe weather situation. CU residential and commercial customers additionally are being asked to conserve energy.
Utah-based gourmet cookie chain Crumbl Cookies opened its first Springfield shop; interior design business Branson Upstaging LLC relocated; and Lauren Ashley Dance Center LLC added a second location.
Updated: Systematic Savings Bank to be acquired in $14M deal
Former CoxHealth colleagues starting communications firm
Warby Parker store planned in Springfield
Former Wentzville superintendent to get $1M in contract buyout
STL construction firm buys KC company
NPR editor resigns after writing piece critical of organization
Survey finds increase in average salary Americans willing to take