HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Thousands of people are without power this morning, even as temperatures remain well below freezing.
This morning, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas told utilities state-wide to begin rotating outages to compensate for a generation shortage due to numerous plant trips that occurred because of the extreme weather.
In a release sent out by ERCOT this morning, they're urging consumers and businesses to reduce their electricity use to the lowest level possible, including these steps:
Limit electricity usage to only that consumption which is absolutely necessary. Turn off all unnecessary lights, appliances, and electronic equipment.
Businesses should minimize the use of electric lighting and electricity-consuming equipment as much as possible.
Large consumers of electricity should consider shutting down or reducing non-essential production processes.
Centerpoint Energy notified customers via email that they would implement 15-30 minute systematic outages.