We are expecting to see another increased potential for rolling outages early this evening and tomorrow morning. We anticipate the highest probability for outages will be early tomorrow morning (7 a.m. to 11 a.m.) and could require multiple rounds of rolling outages. We want to provide an advanced warning on this potential. Please note this is a projected warning.

If rolling outages are implemented, please keep the following in mind:

• Pioneer Electric does not select which members are subject to rolling outages and is given little to no warning when they may occur. Load-sheds are determined by the Southwest Power Pool and are based on load, not population.
• Outages are expected to last 30-60 minutes but may last up to 90 minutes. If your outage extends beyond 90 minutes please contact our office at 620-356-1211 – Rolling outages are designed to help decrease the strain placed on the entire 14-state system due to high demand and a natural gas shortage created by freezing temperatures.

Our sincerest thanks to our consumers. This has been an unprecedented situation that has impacted many communities and states across the Midwest. We appreciate, and are humbled, by the support and understanding.

This weekend, the Southwest Power Pool issued a EEA Level Two for the 14-state region that makes up its territory.

Electric consumers in Kansas are requested to be very conservative with electricity usage starting now and continuing for the next few days. Sunflower Electric Power Corporation has been alerted that the 14-state region that comprises the Southwest Power Pool has moved to an Energy Emergency Alert Level Two due to the extreme weather conditions that are causing the tightening supplies of energy generation and natural gas. In an Energy Emergency Alert Level Two consumers are strongly urged to practice energy conservation methods.

Consumers can make an immediate impact by lowering their thermostats 2-4 degrees and avoiding the use of energy consuming appliances such as ovens and dryers. Follow Pioneer Electric for more information about the Energy Emergency Alert and for energy conservation tips.  

Pioneer Electric’s Helping Us Give to Society (H.U.G.S.) team presented the Steven’s County 4-H Council with a $9,000 grant to assist in making repairs in the Stevens County 4-H building. Renovations will fix leaks in the roof of the building.

The youth representatives of the Stevens County 4-H Council formed a committee, focused on creating a plan for renovations for the building. The roof became an immediate priority for the group, and they began to look towards outside assistance for the project.

“This building has been around since the late ’40s to early ’50s and needs some major repairs,” said Ron Honig, Wild West District Extension Agent. “The goal of this project is to stop the damage occurring to the building due to the leaks. A bid was sought last spring, before the COVID-19 virus which, then shut down all building use and renovation plans. Now that we are back to allowing 4-H groups to use the building, we are seeking funds to fix the issues in the building.”

The project is the start of other renovations that the extension office hopes to complete in the building. The committee hopes to renovate the bathrooms, lighting, doors, and flooring. Those interested in making donations or assisting with these projects may contact the Stevens County Extension Office at 620-544-4359.